Center for Peacebuilding

Mission Statement

 The Center for Peacebuilding (CIM) has been working for nearly a decade in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the motto naš put je mir (our way is peace).  Our mission is to rebuild trust and foster reconciliation among the people of Bosnia—Croats, Serbs, Bosniaks, and others—as well as support peace processes in other countries that have suffered from violent conflict.

Founding and Guiding Principles

Founded in 2004 by peacebuilders Vahidin Omanovic and Mevludin Rahmanovic, CIM is located in Sanski Most – the former front lines of the conflict in Northwest Bosnia.  Even twenty years after the start of the war in Bosnia, deep physical and psychological divisions remain throughout society.  Many Bosnian schools are ethnically segregated, and parents and family units who suffer from war-time trauma pass down negative stereotypes and perceived threats to the younger generation. 

Therefore, all of CIM’s activities are built on the core concepts of mutual listening, understanding, and compassion through (re)building relationships.  CIM’s activities have brought together men, women, and youth, from rape victims, camp survivors, and war veterans to diverse religious leaders in dialogue, counseling sessions, and conflict resolution skill building seminars.

Our Work

CIM plays a critical role by providing a safe space for constructive interethnic and religious dialogue. Our activities promote human rights and intercultural cooperation. We also train individuals in practical conflict resolution techniques, equipping them with skills to respond to conflict, including potentially violent situations, through creative and nonviolent means.