As political tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina cause concern in the international community and rising prices at home, World Vision increases its peacebuilding work across the country.

Since Prime Minister Nikola Spiric resigned on 1 November as a protest against voting reforms by the international High Representative, some analysts have viewed the political crisis as the most serious since the end of the 1992-95 war between Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks. The current talks in Kosovo, set to end on 10 December, add to the sense of insecurity.

'To counteract this instability, World Vision has been doing key work to promote peacebuilding and citizen engagement, which in the long term will build good governance and a healthier society,' says National Director Sue Birchmore.

The worsening political stalemate has provoked a rise in the price of basic food items, leading to speculative trading and panic buying. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the average wage is low and there is over 40% unemployment, these factors are leading to increasing hardship for the poor.
.
World Vision's peacebuilding work includes workshops in non-violent conflict resolution with youth and teachers. These groups successfully mix Bosniaks and Serbs who have been on opposite sides of battle lines.

'A strong civil society is a key ingredient in a healthy democracy,' Sue Birchmore concludes. 'And thought there are quite a few committed people working on it, this does not really exist yet here.

'We are seeking funding for a follow-on project, 'Leadership Development', working with young people to help build a better and more peaceful future for their communities,' she adds.

Ongoing support to student councils, parent-teacher associations and community groups by World Vision complements the work of Area Development Projects and child sponsorship in impoverished rural areas. A recent advocacy event in the capital, Sarajevo, focused on training members of local voluntary organizations to engage effectively with the government.