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 strange, but one of the most important things I learned then was that it’s possible to have completely diverging views, but still maintain civility. For example, during the workshops I often got into conflicts with one girl. These weren’t just arguments, they were conflicts. But during the breaks, we functioned normally and we are still in touch. There are now times when she is the one standing up for me when someone attacks me on social networks. I don’t know if you need this in your life, but this training will take you out of your comfort zone. At least it did that for me, an introvert. Being stranded for 10 days at a training (when you’re not entirely sure how it’s going to turn out) and with 20 people (none of whom you know) sounds scary to start off with. But in reality, it’s great because you discover […]
Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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 strange, but one of the most important things I learned then was that it’s possible to have completely diverging views, but still maintain civility. For example, during the workshops I often got into conflicts with one girl. These weren’t just arguments, they were conflicts. But during the breaks, we functioned normally and we are still in touch. There are now times when she is the one standing up for me when someone attacks me on social networks.

I don’t know if you need this in your life, but this training will take you out of your comfort zone. At least it did that for me, an introvert. Being stranded for 10 days at a training (when you’re not entirely sure how it’s going to turn out) and with 20 people (none of whom you know) sounds scary to start off with. But in reality, it’s great because you discover new aspects of yourself. At no point during those 10 days were we made to sit and listen to lectures, instead we were constantly playing games and doing tasks, and then analysing them. Some things were quite painful, to be honest. There were moments I felt like my flesh was being torn from my bones. And yet, it’s a training I would gladly do all over again.

Omer Muminović

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

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.

Valentina Petra Eterović Buble

Now I’m strong. Now I know how.

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.

Nataša Filipović

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

Ajša Tunović

A cathartic experience

Mirsad Dreić

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

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.

Sibel Gutiq

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

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.

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.

Davor Obrdalj

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

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 […]

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...

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.

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.

Teodora Milosavljević

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

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…

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.

Amina Kaja

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

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!

Valon Kuci

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

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.

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!

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.

Anisa Pračić-Šehić

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

Teodora Sokolovska

I’ll never forget the enthusiasm of the trainers in transferring their knowledge, experiences and exercises. It wasn’t new for me, it just made me remember that all people carry within them different stories, different burdens and different baggage, and that we can learn something from everyone…

Darko Nestorov

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