Events
FICE 2006 Congress Summary
An International congress brings together professionals and juveniles with difficult childhood from 13 countries.
Millions of children around the world are unable to grow up in their own family. The loss of parents as a result of war, natural disasters, AIDS, drug addiction and other reasons, is very hard for children and youth to cope with. The International FlCE Congress in Sarajevo has introduced approaches and experiences of wow to build a positive future despite a childhood of hardships. About 400 juveniles and professionals from over 30 countries did participate in workshops and presentations. The FICE Declaration of Sarajevo was presented to the public at the end of the congress. The FICE Congress did make a statement about the plight of the children affected by the current war in the Middle East.
Children and juveniles who have not been able to grow up in their own families, for instance, due to war or because their parents have died of AIDS, are especially challenged when it comes to building their future positively. Millions of children all over the world are forced to grow up under harsh conditions without the support of their parents. FlCE International - the International Organization of Educative Communities - is a global network of professionals who are committed to supporting children and juveniles who cannot grow up in their family. The International FICE Congress took place in Sarajevo on September 6-8, 2006. The congress focused on the theme of: building a positive future despite a childhood of hardships. It is all about resilience: the ability of positive personal development despite difficult situations.
Why a congress in Sarajevo?
Sarajevo has suffered a horrible war that has cost mare than 11,000 lives and has caused irreparable damage. By mobilizing all their strengths and powers, the people of Sarajevo have succeeded in surviving the siege between 1992 and 1995 and have managed to keep their social and cultural diversity after the Dayton peace treaty. Many young people from South Eastern Europe carry around with them the scars of war as crucial experiences of their childhood, They are challenged, despite difficulties, to take their lives into their own hands. Monuments and signs of war are socially, economically and structurally present all over the city of Sarajevo. However, the people in Sarajevo and in the region of South Eastern Europe are working towards their future with creative willpower.