Written by: Lidija Pavlović-Grgić

The beginning of the program was marked with the addressing of the President of the MRV - the bishop Grigorije, who pointed out that MRV is one of the most important topics that can be talked about in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To build the demolished

He recalled the beginning of this institution established in 1997. with efforts of reisu-l-ulema Mustafa ef. Ceric (Islamic Community of B & H), Metropolitan of Dabrobosnian Nikolaj (Serbian Orthodox Church), Archbishop of Vrhbosna Vinko cardinal Puljić (Roman Catholic Church) and Jakob Finci (Jewish Community of B&H).

At that time, he pointed out, all that had been destroyed in the war needed to be rebuilt and hope for the possibility of life together, dialogue and work brought back. He estimated that the past 20 years of the MRV were marked by constant work, effort, and renunciation that have led to fruits that are not easy to deny today. He pointed out in particular that the team around the leaders of the MRV had many successful projects, among which were: The Believers' Network in BiH, The Young of MRV B & H, Youth Theologians, Monitoring of Attacks on Religious Objects, The Committee for Interreligious Cooperation.

"It is to be understood that for the next 20 years this country will be a land of dialogue - a dialogue that will not be an exception but a rule that will be fruitful, because today it is more than ever clear that there is no peace in the world without peace among religions. The best way for us to have peace among ourselves, and not fear and discomfort, is to get to know each other better, which is achieved by and only with sincere dialogue", the bishop Grigorije emphasized, while the young of MRV, Merima Handanović, Stela Đukić and Teona Nešović, witnessed of the meetings and joys of getting to know each other and living with each other. "Today we have organized this ceremonial cademy so that we can remember, and even more so that we can tell others about our eforts. I hope we will continue to build a dialogue path because dialogue has no alternative", Cardinal Puljić told us, referring to 20 years of fruitful MRV work.

Signature of the Declaration

About the history and significant accomplishments of this institution was told in the documentary by Senad Dorić, and during the program the gathered were enjoying the spiritual compositions from: The choir of Medzilis of the Islamic Community of Sarajevo, The choir for church music and choreography of the Music Academy of the University of East Sarajevo, The Cathedral Choir Josip Stadler and Oskar Danon Ensemble .

The program was completed by signing the Declaration of the Inter-Religious Council on the suppression of stigmatization of persons who survived sexual violence in the war in B&H.