Igor Drvendžija

...not to mention how memorable it is to share your stories with the rest of the group and often find understanding despite the fact that we come from different backgrounds.
Zagreb, Croatia

After a vivid trip from Zagreb, I arrived with my fellow travellers to Ulcinj/Ulqin and spent the next intense and eventful ten days with 24 people. In each session, I learned something new from the other participants and I would often be impressed by something in the exercises that made me think and so I learned a few things about myself, too. In my free time, I am generally occupied with the topics included in the programme, so it was never boring for a moment, and it was especially valuable to watch how the exercises helped us express so many things, including those that may not have occurred to us at first. The communication ran smoothly, and when there was a hitch (which is, of course, natural when you bring together such a diverse crowd), empathy and kindness would step in to help us understand someone else’s point of view. Of course, the informal part of our stay during the training was also very pleasant and educational, and the food, the hotel staff and the general atmosphere in town were really great.

There are many reasons why I would recommend this training to other people. For anyone who considers it important to think about the future of peace and a return of coexistence in the Yugoslav area, being in contact with well-meaning people from different parts of the region is an invaluable experience. Because it is common practice for CNA trainings to bring together individuals from all corners of the region, the participants get a very good insight into the complexity of local inter-ethnic relations, which then helps create a nuanced and holistic view of the issues – whether these concern information about events from the past or about the current atmosphere in society. This is greatly aided by the fact that the exercises are carefully thought-out and expertly led, so that the participants are put in a series of situations that take them through a range of emotions, helping to deepen the impression of the whole experience. Not to mention how memorable it is to share your stories with the rest of the group and often find understanding despite the fact that we come from different backgrounds. And let’s not forget that after the training, you are left with a heap of valuable contacts and a sense that even remote areas no longer seem so far away because you meet lovely people at the training from everywhere that you can then go on to plan actions and events with, or to just develop friendships.

Valon Kuci

During the training, I also realised I shouldn’t feel lonely because I have a lot of friends who think this way.

Omer Muminović

If I had to sum up the training in one word, it would be courage.

Igor Drvendžija

…not to mention how memorable it is to share your stories with the rest of the group and often find understanding despite the fact that we come from different backgrounds.

Tamara Zečević

The Basic Training in Peacebuilding is something I recommend to everyone, whatever their profession, age or life experience. The training will give you an opportunity not just to see the bigger picture of the region and the country you live in, but also for some serious introspection…

Davor Obrdalj

I recommend the training to everyone, and I guarantee you won’t be the same again.

Amina Kaja

I’ve been to many trainings, but none are like CNA.

Vanja Stokić

I made friends, but real friends. People I still meet up with and sometimes we go on trips together. But also, I saw first-hand that I have a lot in common with people who seem nothing like me. That pain isn’t just mine, that others also share it. It might sound...

Vanja Šunjić

When participants from previous trainings told me about how it had changed their lives, even though I believed them, I could not fathom how a ten-day training could really do that.

Ajša Tunović

A cathartic experience

Ajdin Kamber

We sifted through our feelings, traumas, memories… How is it possible for schoolmates, neighbours, friends, even brothers, to become mortal enemies overnight. I got part of the answer at the training organised by the Centre for Nonviolent Action in Ulcinj.

Sunita Dautbegović Bošnjaković

There will definitely be an exchange of opinions, every participant will be afforded respect, there will be mutual listening, as well as mutual criticism and self-criticism. This means opening up topics that are painful and that we often “sweep under the rug”, but that prevent us from embarking on a constructive process of dealing with the past and building our societies on the values of peace.

Mirsad Dreić

Even ten years later, the training leaves a strong impression of awakened awareness and understanding of others.

Teodora Milosavljević

This training had just one downside. It set the bar unrealistically high for all others!

Martina Barešić

…what had the biggest impact on me were the personal stories of all the people at the training. They enriched this entire training and gave everything an emotional dimension that is sorely needed in working on reconciliation and dealing with the past.

Nataša Filipović

Meeting different people, learning about their experiences and ways of thinking can go a long way to help mutual understanding.

Edo Kanlić

If you want to experience catharsis, sign up for the training. Don’t take it lightly, it’s a serious endeavour. It’ll turn your experiences, beliefs and emotions upside down. Even five days after the training, I’m still trying to put together everything I experienced during those 10 days. Without wanting to sound pretentious, I will say that the training made me a better person. So go ahead, sign up!

Gordana Jocić

Above all, I think a form has been found for learning about nonviolence that makes a strong and lasting impression on the participants.

Slađana Popović Šipka

I’d like to point out that one of the things I said during the training was “I’d like us to be able to travel without fear, for me to come from Banja Luka to Bugojno and have coffee with Naima, and for her to do the same and come visit me.” Thanks to this training, my wish came true.

Žarko Stanimirović

If CNA ever invites you to attend their training, RUN to fill out the application form and hope you’ll be selected, because there’s strong competition. All you need to bring along is an open mind and a desire to socialise, and you won’t regret it.

Branislav Trudić

For years, this training has been true to the essence of peace education – providing support in creating a safe group atmosphere where many will engage for the first time in their lives in an empathy-based learning experience about the war and post-war past. I have nothing but words of praise for the inclusive segment of the training, both in terms of selecting participants of different profiles and in terms of enabling the participants to follow the entirety of the training in all the regional languages.

Sibel Gutiq

This training helped me learn and understand more about myself and the people around me.

Iva Baraba

This training is unique. There is nothing like it in our region that works towards peacebuilding with a similar approach. I participated in various seminars and study visits organised internationally, nationally and locally, but this training successfully brought together the issues facing our countries, the tools for dealing with them and the people for whom they matter!

Emina Šehić

I would say my experience can be summed up as follows: being myself, peace and listening. Participating in this training allowed me to be myself for the first time, to talk and express my opinions the way I feel them, without fearing they would be judged. This brought on a sense of peace that […]

Sunčica Đukanović

If you want to express your views openly and receive founded and constructive criticism, as well as give it out without fear of being judged, then this training with professionals in peace education is the right choice for you and you won’t be wasting your time.

Anisa Pračić-Šehić

I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to push their own and then our collective social boundaries.

Sara Velaga

I’ll remember this training as some of the happiest days in my life, because I felt complete, purified, aware and in touch with my emotions throughout the 10 days. I never had an extended family, but during the time we spent together, I found out that a family can be completely different people.

Darko Nestorov

It’s hard to describe the experience of the training, so I would recommend seeing it for yourself.

Valentina Petra Eterović Buble

Now I’m strong. Now I know how.