Event: From Dayton to Brussels

About the event:

​Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at a critical crossroads. On the one hand, the country’s EU accession process has guided the country’s path from post-conflict stability to a functional democracy, aiming at a transformation of political culture, institutional resilience, and public trust. But at the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to be governed along ethnic fault lines, with political actors questioning the basic premises of the Dayton agreement up to the point where continued stability and (regional) security is under question.

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This conference explores the complex dynamics of peacebuilding, governance reform, and citizen engagement, examining the role of international actors, domestic elites, and civil society in shaping the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Through two focused panels, we aim to identify practical pathways for reform, build connections between political actors and civil society, and explore the potential for a renewed social contract – one that can redefine the relationship between the state and its citizens, fosters democratic resilience and supports Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European Union accession path.

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Preliminary Programme

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09.30 – 10.00 | Opening session 

• Welcome by Wouter Zweers, Clingendael Institute

• Introduction by Alden Pervan and Šeila Akagić, BiH-NL Thinktank

• Keynote by H.E. Almir Šahović, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the 
  Netherlands

• Moderated by Wouter Zweers, Clingendael Institute 

​10.00 – 11.15 | Panel 1: 30 years of peace, 30 years of deadlock? What has Dayton 

delivered, and what comes next? 

This panel delves into Bosnia’s political and constitutional achievements and challenges, 
potential reforms and the influence of outside actors with a special focus on the 
European Union. 

• Jasmin Mujanović, New Lines Institute's Western Balkans Center

• Tineke Strik, Member of European Parliament

• Maja Sahadžić, University of Utrecht

• Robert Gooren, Netherlands Ministry of Defence

This session is moderated by Wouter Zweers, Clingendael Institute 

11.15 – 11.45 | Livestream break

11.45 – 13.00 | Panel 2: Democracy in Action: EU integration, the rule of law and civic 
empowerment 

This panel focuses on citizen engagement, community resilience, environmental 
activism as a unifying force, institutional reforms, and the role of the EU as a driver of 
democratic change. 

• Srđan Blagovčanin, Transparency International BiH

• Azra Berbić, ACT BiH

• Sanja Ramić, BiH NL thinktank

• Marjolein Koster, independent journalist

This session is moderated by Laura Jasper, HCSS 

13.00-13.15 | Concluding keynote: H.E. Henk van den Dool, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the 
Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Co-organised with The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies and The Clingendael Institute

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Register here

Register via this link to receive an email alert for the livestream. 

Live link on YouTube:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvSajQmiRCk 

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