Civil society lessons: Bosnia, Herzegovina students come eager to learn

By Steve Ritchie

Have you ever wished there was something concrete you could do to help people in one of the world’s troubled spots?

Hilary Jones can provide an opportunity for Silverton and Mount Angel area families to do just that.
Jones, a 1994 Silverton High School graduate, returned to Silverton a few years ago to work at Willamette University. Jones is on the staff of an institute based at Willamette that seeks to promote global civic engagement. One of the projects she manages is a Youth Leadership Program for high school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jones is looking for families who would be willing to host a student for three weeks in April.

From 1992-95, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the scene of the most horrific conflict in Europe since World War II. The war between Muslim Bosniaks, Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats, following the breakup of Yugoslavia, resulted in more than 100,000 people being killed, and 2.2 million being displaced from their homes. The capital of Sarajevo, which hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, was under siege for years. Dozens of war criminals were eventually convicted of participating in ethnic cleansing, rape and genocide.

The bitter sectarian war ended with the signing of the Dayton Peace Accord in 1995, but Jones said ethnic tensions in the country still run high.

“Mutual distrust persists,” Jones said. “Even though they share a history, citizens of the country identify themselves as members of an ethnic group and religion first, and as citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina second, if at all . . . It’s up to the next generation in Bosnia and Herzegovina to forge peace in their country. That’s why our program is so important.”

The Youth Leadership Program was started by the U.S. State Department in 1998 as a way to nurture the fragile democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now in its third year at Willamette University, the program brings 18 high school students and three teachers from the three different ethnic groups together for three weeks. While staying with host families, they gather each day at Willamette University to study the rights, roles and responsibilities of citizens in civil society, interact with each other, explore American culture and politics, and cooperate with their peers to do problem-solving and build leadership skills.

Robert Trapp, Jones’ step-father and a Silverton resident, is a professor of rhetoric at Willamette University and directs the Willamette Debate Union. As part of the Youth Leadership Program he teaches Bosnian students debate as a tool for democracy. Being able to communicate with each other and discuss differences is an essential skill for leaders there to develop if democracy is to flourish.

Jones says in their country the young people typically do not interact with those of other ethnic groups.
“Ironically, young Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats must travel to the U.S. to discover that they are fundamentally the same. These students form lifelong friendships that cross ethnic lines,” she said.

Jones and her colleagues involved with the program see some wonderful benefits for the host families.

Crystal Jeffers, who works with Jones at the institute, says, “Previous hosts report incredible experiences with their guests. Though it certainly isn’t required, many have taken guests to the coast, hiking, concerts and plays. Many of our previous hosts are still in contact with their guest students, and anticipate life-long friendships.”

Kristen Grainger hosted a student two years ago, and is still enthusiastic about the experience, noting, “We have come to regard Belma (her guest student) as a dear friend and family member, not just a temporary guest. What a lovely, intelligent young woman she is. She – and my daughter – give me hope for the future.”

Since her high school graduation 16 years ago, Jones has earned a bachelor’s in Linguistics at Stanford University, volunteered as a teacher in Ghana, and worked in nonprofit development in Washington, D.C., Michigan, Houston, upstate New York and Vietnam before returning to Silverton in 2008. Her experiences around the globe have enhanced her appreciation of what Silverton and its residents can offer others.

“I live close to downtown and I absolutely love it,” Jones said. “Where else can you find beer, antiques, artisan chocolates, movies, live music, wine, artworks and Thai food within a two-minute walking radius.”

She hopes others in Silverton will want to participate as host families, and offer her visiting students a look at life in a small American town.

“Silverton is such an exceptionally welcoming town. We have some wonderful host families in Salem, but I’ve always wanted to place some of our students in Silverton. We know our neighbors here!”