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Posted: October 14, 2010
WORLD

Bosnian Teen Weighs-in on Country’s Elections

Alen Alic, Age 18
Nikolas Rybar

In the early 1990s, the Bosnian War tore the country formerly known as Yugoslavia into three different nations: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. Today, young Bosnians still feel the effects of that division- most schools and neighborhoods are separated by ethnicity. Furthermore, the country has three presidents - one representing Serbs, one representing Bosniaks and one representing Croats.

Alen Alic, 18, who voted for the first time in this year’s Bosnian presidential election, tells NewsHour Extra why he’s cautiously optimistic about the outcome but would someday like to see his country fully united.

 
 

What issues were most important to you in this election? Why?

The most important issue to me is about education and opportunities for young people in terms of jobs. And of course the future of this country.

Were you happy with the results of the election? Why or why not?

Part of me is not happy about the election, because I think as long as we have three presidents we will not have a future and cohesiveness between the nations. But I am happy because one of the presidents is normal man, and he’s not just a man who likes one nation--his plan is to unite.

What do you think are the biggest challenges that young people in Bosnia face? What are their biggest opportunities?

The biggest challenge is to unite young people through education. We don't have lot of opportunities, but if young people have the opportunity to embrace education it would be much better here.

What would you like to tell American teens about life in Bosnia?

I think in Sarajevo (capital city) life is normal and similar to America, because of the people that live here. Some people call Sarajevo ''Europian Jeruzalem,'' but in Sarajevo we really don't care about nationality or religion. I would love for American teens to come here to see this paradise and have them eat traditional dishes. At one time Sarajevo was an Olympic city, as we have some of the most beautiful mountains and rivers in the world.


Alen was featured in a recent NewsHour segment Bosnia Prepares For Elections as Ethnic Divisions Remain, which aired Oct. 1


Related Coverage

Extra: News for Students
Bosnia Still Fragile After 14 Years
Bosnian Youth Still Feel the Effects of the Ethnic Conflict That Ravaged their Country
Bosnian Serb Wartime President Boycotts Own Genocide Trial

PBS NewsHour
Bosnia's Political Deadlock Underscores Ethnic Cracks
Bosnia Prepares For Elections as Ethnic Divisions Remain


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