Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the PA BiH, Dr. Denis Zvizdić, spoke with members of the Homework HUB and students of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo.

On the occasion of June 30, the International Day of Parliamentarism and the day when the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH) Dr Denis Zvizdić spoke today with members of Homework HUB and students of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo.

In his introductory remarks, Dr Zvizdić pointed out the importance of parliamentarism and the Interparliamentary Union as the first political multilateral organization of the parliaments of sovereign states. Founded on June 30, 1889 with the task of encouraging cooperation, coordination, and dialogue between all nations, IPU as the parliament of the whole world, as he said, promotes the exchange of experiences between parliaments and parliamentarians with the idea of ​​progress in all areas of life.

Mr. Zvizdić also referred to the current political moment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointing to the fact that the most damaging to the democratic process and BiH's path towards Euro-Atlantic integration is the present populism, which is skilfully promoted through the public appearances of politicians and the media that are prone to them. As a current and great threat, he apostrophized the artificial creation of an atmosphere of danger as well as the placement of narratives about the need to protect entire groups gathered on national, religious, ideological or any other basis from many alleged challenges. According to him, the most effective solution that will certainly result in a better quality of life in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the long run is for the citizens to resist populism and try to see the real results and effects of the politics of individuals and parties who, especially during the pre-election period, present themselves as their exclusive protectors. He emphasized the necessity of respecting meritocracy, which would create political and leaders in all other areas of life based on the principles of ability, knowledge, and expertise in making important decisions.

Members of Homework HUB and students of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo were particularly interested in Dr Zvizdić's opinion on the level and ways of strengthening youth activism and the modes of clearly and concretely articulating their demands. (end)