It's our pleasure to inform you that we are organizing the 5th Post-Yugoslav Peace Academy (PYPA) for persons from across the former Yugoslavia who are active in the fields of peacebuilding, dealing with the past, human rights' protection. This event is tailored for activists, students, researchers, theoreticians, journalists and all others whose focus is peace work.

The 5th Peace Academy is going to be organized in Sarajevo from July 22nd – 31st 2012.

This year's PYPA offers three courses (two in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian languages and one in English language which will be held parallely): 

Each participant can only attend a single course.

Applying:

If you wish to partake, please fill out the online Application form below. You will be automatically notified when we receive your application. You will also receive an email from us not later than 7 days after replying to inform you if we need any additional information. Up to twenty-two applicants will be selected per course. A waiting list of 20 additional applicants will be formed. 

Applications open on May 1st and need to be filled out not later than June 1st (12pm CEST).

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your participation at the PYPA or need other information in this regard, please contact Tamara Šmidling at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes to filling out application form: There are two versions of the application form, a BHS version and an English version. Please fill out and use the application form in the language of your first choice course (e.g. if you are applying for a course in BHS language, then use the BHS application form and vice versa). 

      apply button             BHS version    

You will be notified about the selection outcome of applications on June 11th. 

If you do not have a stable Internet connection or for some other reasons are unable to fill out the online application form, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the application form in a doc. file (Word Document).

Participation Prerequisites:

  • Persons working in the field of peacebuilding (advantage will be given to those with a minimum of three years experience and to peacebuilding veterans from the ex-Yugoslav region);
  • Journalists and media workers (advantage will be given to those with a minimum of three years experience);
  • Academics, lecturers and students (advantage will be given to student of the third year and above; lecturers and academics should be involved in related fields to peacebuilding and advantage will be given to those with a minimum of three years experience); 
  • Artists working in relevant filed of work and with a minimum of three years experience;
  • Persons working in State and other governmental institutions with a minimum three year experience in a field related to peacebuilding;
  • Experience in any of the above mentioned fields;  
  • Willingness to attend the selected course during its whole, eight-day, duration (late arrivals and early departures will not be tolerated);
  • Willingness to fulfill all obligations related to the course (reading the recommended literature before the start of the Academy, writing a final essay);
  • Fluency in English (prerequisite for the 3rd course);
  • Minimum age for participation is 21 years;
  • Openness to listen and dialogue;
  • Participation fee payment after your application has been selected.

Persons which previously did not participate at the Peace Academies will be given advantage. Of the entire number of participants, 15% will be reserved for participants coming from other countries beyond the ex-Yugoslav region, where advantage is given to persons whose work is connected to the Region or who themselves come from conflict areas.

Working Methodology:

The courses combine lectures (to a lesser degree) and interactive work method (extensively) through group discussions, small group activities, analysis of video and written material. This type of methods assumes the participants’ active involvement and contribution in creating a good work dynamic.

The total duration of each of the courses is eight days – seven work days and one free day in the middle of a course. Working days will be divided into two blocks – morning and afternoon block, with a break for lunch and rest in-between.
All selected participants are obliged to read written materials (course literature) before the start of the Academy. They will receive the materials a month ahead. 

Logistical and Technical Information

Location:

The participants’ accommodation and the courses’ activity rooms are in the Franciscan Student Dormitory complex (Franjevački studentski dom) which is located in the Sarajevo’s neighborhood of Grbavica, about 15 minutes’ walk to downtown. The newly built complex meets all of the Peace Academy’s needs. The accommodation is organized in double rooms.

Expenses:

Total costs of the participation at the 2012 Post-Yugoslav Peace Academy are 700€ per participant and are entirely covered by the Peace Academy Foundation. These costs include food and accommodation expenses, as well as lecturers’ honoraria and costs of working rooms. Financial support for the Peace Academy 2012 has been provided by Mennonite Central Committee and Balkan Trust for Democracy.

Participants are responsible for covering their traveling expenses along with the Peace Academy’s obligatory participation fee. In addition, participants are responsible for covering travel insurance expenses. 

Participation fee:

Each participant is obliged to pay a participation fee for the participation at the PYPA 2012. The participation fee is paid after you receive a confirmation that you have been accepted to on of the course at the Peace Academy 2012.

Participation fees are divided into the following two categories: 

  • Participants who are citizens of one of the former Yugoslav countries pay 75,00 € (exemption: participants who do not have any monthly income pay a 50,00 € participation fee)
  • Participants who are citizens of other countries (outside the ex-Yugoslav region) pay a participation fee of 300€

Provisions of bank fees are not included in the participation fees and are expected to be paid by participants themselves. Participants will be informed about the deadline and means of participation fee payment after the selection process. Participation fees will be due before the start of the PYPA. Participation fees will be used to cover costs of course materials and Peace Academy’s operational costs. 

Note for participants from the Post-Yugoslav countries: If you or your organization can contribute to the Peace Academy’s sustainability by paying a larger participation fee (e.g., 150, 250 or 350 €), please let us know.

For all additional information regarding the Peace Academy please contact us at: 
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone/Fax: +387 33 651 560
Contact person: Tamara Šmidling, PAF's Assistant

 

We are looking forward to receiving your applications!

Essays