28 April 2025
Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo,
Obala Kulina bana 7
Lecture hall 141
Constitutional changes can play a key role in building peace and reconciliation in societies that have experienced violent conflict or authoritarian regimes. Understanding how these changes can promote coexistence and the reconstruction of the social fabric is essential to establishing solid foundations for sustainable peace. An adequate and inclusive constitution can contribute to improving governance and promoting trust in political institutions. The conference aims to provide insights into how to design institutional structures that promote inclusion, participation, and equitable representation, helping to prevent social and political tensions by presenting different study cases.
The conference is organised in collaboration with membres of the research project "Constitutions for Peace: The Role of Constitutional Changes in Promoting Coexistence and Social Reconstruction in Societies in Transition", awarded by International Catalan Institute for Peace (ICIP).
Program
9.30
Welcome speech by Professor Mirza Hebib, PhD, Vice Dean for International Cooperation at the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law.
9.45
Opening speech
by Damir Banović
PhD, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law.
9.55
The Role of Constitutional Changes in Promoting Coexistence and Social Reconstruction in Societies in Transition
by Elisenda Calvet Martínez
PhD, University of Barcelona, Faculty of Law.
10.25
Questions and discussion
10.40
Coffee break
11.00
Constitutional Reforms in the Balkans: challenges to lasting peace
- Constitutionalizing Legal and Political Principles for Post-Conflict Society, Damir Banović, PhD, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Ethnic Divisions and the Constitution of North Macedonia: Challenges to Lasting Peace and Stability, Carna Pistan, PhD, Affiliated Research Fellow, Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development (CCSDD), Bologna, Italy.
- The International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Light of Transitional Justice and Constitutional Changes, de lege ferenda, Alenka Antloga, research group Discrimination in Post-Conflict Constitutions, International Association of Constitutional Law.
- Questions and discussion
12.00
Bosnia and Herzegovina at the spotlight
- The role of electoral law in post-conflict societies - case study Election Law of B&H, Lejla Balić, PhD, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Genocide Denial and Democratic Erosion: Rebuilding Trust in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hikmet Karčić, PhD, University of Sarajevo, Institute for Research of Crimes Against Humanity and International Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Citizens' Assembly Recommendations for Constitutional Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Path Forward, Harun Išerić, PhD Student, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Questions and discussion
13.00
Lunch break
14.30
Constitutional reforms in Latin America and look at Cyprus
- Guatemala: the challenge of reconizing indigenous peoples in the constitution, Elisenda Calvet Martínez, PhD, University of Barcelona, Spain.
- Columbia: constitutional changes as a guarantee of peace, Raluca Colojoară, Junior Lecturer, PhD, West University of Timişoara, Romania.Cyprus: Kin
- states and post-conflict power-sharing: Case study of Cyprus, Tahir Herenda, PhD student, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Questions and discussion
15.30
Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN B&H) presentation
15.45
Closing remarks by Damir Banović, PhD, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Law