The FIET Trade Union Solidarity Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina

One of the largest FIET projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been successfully completed. Acting on behalf of the Danish social partners in commerce, the FIET project office in Sarajevo has been charged with furnishing and equipping this large commerce college in the heart of the Bosnian capital. The project also comprised a total restructuring of the school's teaching programme, done in co-operation with a university in Denmark.

Speaking at a ceremony in the main hall of the newly renovated building, the school's principal Avdija Serdarevic paid tribute to the Danish social partners in commerce, to the Tietgen Business College and to the Danish government authorities, who had made the project possible. He also expressed special thanks to the FIET project organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who initiated and implemented the project together with the school.

On behalf of the FIET project organisation, Jan Furstenborg said that the successful completion of the project was possible only because of the strong engagement of the management, teachers and students of the school. Two years ago, when the school was just a ruin, Avdija Serdarevic and his deputy Asra Baralija already had a clear vision to develop it into a modern European institution which would lead the way in creating a new business environment in the whole region. This has now happened, also thanks to the  support of Denmark's workers and employers, acting together with full support of their government.

Together with Alex Rüdig and Mersiha Besirovic, director and deputy director of the project, Jan Furstenborg received a diploma given to the FIET project office in recognition of its efforts. Diplomas were also given to Jörgen Hoppe of HK Handel, Sören B. Henriksen of Danish Commerce and Services, Poul Hemmingsen of the Tietgen Business College and Lars Jensen on behalf of the Embassy of Denmark in Sarajevo.

The Economy School of Sarajevo is situated in the very centre of the town, along what used to be called Snipers' Alley. It was on the very frontline and thus got badly destroyed in the fighting. Shooting galleries had been dug under the gym floor and all facilities showed the scars of war. The structure was, however, largely intact and thus the Federation government was able to renovate the building, with support of the Islamic Bank. From here, the Danish FIET project took over.

Today, the school is a modern institution in a beautifully restored building. With modern equipment, a large library still in need of being stocked with modern economic and business literature and with free access for students to Internet computers, it will play a crucial role in developing the economy of the entire country.

FIET is already in discussions with the Danish social partners and government authorities about a continuation of their project co-operation.

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Pictures from Sarajevo, including the Economy School