Students from Garth Hill College, Sandhurst School, Huxlow Science College and Sir Herbert Leon Academy travelled to Bosnia last week on our innovative new ‘Future Leaders in Schools Programme’ – which aims to educate the next generation on Srebrenica, as well as inspire them to create change in their schools and communities.
The visit is part of a year-long programme that aims to educate young people about the Srebrenica genocide – the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War, and the consequences of hatred. To date, nearly a thousand people have travelled to Bosnia with Remembering Srebrenica over the last three years, but this was the first time that a delegation of college-aged students made the journey to Bosnia. Remembering Srebrenica Education Manager, Rebecca Heron, said:
“We are looking to build long-term relationships with these young people and work with them, not just throughout the year, but also to follow their progress after they leave school, either through university or into forthcoming careers, to support them in their role as future leaders against hatred and intolerance.”
The students were also the first ever group to be guided around the new exhibit at the Srebrenica Memorial Centre in Potocari since it opened to the public earlier this month, which focuses on the failure of the international community to intervene when it was needed most. The students had the privilege of meeting and hearing from survivors of the genocide and relatives of the victims who were massacred. The visit had a real impact on all of the students, many of whom expressed how relevant the lessons we take from Srebrenica are in the current political climate, and to our society in the UK. Student Dru Blackman said:
“It is vital that we educate people about why hatred is so destructive and why tolerance is so important; without tolerance and understanding things like this can happen. We have seen the most destructive part of humanity”
The Future Leaders in Schools programme is just one aspect of Remembering Srebrenica’s wider education programme which has seen over 32,000 children benefit from its work in schools, and over 2,000 participate in the 8-3-7-2 memorial football tournament. If you would like to find out how you can get involved in our 8-3-7-2 tournament or running an educational event or workshop, contact info@srebrenica.org.uk
