13. Sarajevo UN World Interfaith Harmony Week

3–9 February 2025

Žarko Papić's life and work in the defense of social pluralism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

5 February (Wednesday), 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., IFB Offices (Sime Milutinovića 10)

As part of the 13th Sarajevo UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, International Forum Bosnia and the International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina are jointly hosting a conference to celebrate Žarko Papić's life and work in defense of social pluralism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference will take place on Wednesday February 5, starting at 10:30 a.m., at the IFB offices.

Žarko Papić was born in 1947, in Sarajevo, where he also died in 2024. He was a committed public intellectual with a life-long interest in all aspects of the history, culture, and economy of Bosnian society, considered in the wider European context. He was a relentless and resolute investigator of social, political, and economic issues, which he approached in the broadest possible framework. One of the founders of International Forum Bosnia, he contributed significantly to its work from 1997 until his death. He was editor-in-chief of the Forum Bosnae journal and the author of numerous contributions to it. At the time of his death, he was also serving as vice-president of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The conference agenda:

10.15 – 10.30 Opening

10.30 – 12.00 First panel

Moderator: Rasim Gačanović

Asim Kurjak, On death and dying: what we know and still have to find out.

Krsto Mijanović, From periphery to center, in search of the good.

Osman Sinanović, Žarko Papić: a man of knowledge and principle.

Enver Kazaz, Intellectual engagement in a land of despair.

Mile Babić, On Papić's advocacy of dialogue of all with all.

Rusmir Mahmutćehajić, On friendship and cooperation with Žarko Papić.

12.15 – 13.45 Second panel

Moderator: Asim Zubčević

Fikret Čaušević, Žarko Papić and the lessons (not)learned in the countries in transition.

Anto Domazet, Žarko Papić as economist of the inclusive economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Majda Fetahagić, Žarko Papić's contribution to the national human development reports of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Džamna Vranić, Compassion and responsibility for the weakest in Žarko Papić's vision.

Desmond Maurer, Žarko Papić and Human Development.

Kadrija Hodžić, Žarko Papić's Economics for the Common Good.

13.45 – 14.00 Closing remarks

The organizer expects the participants of the conference to submit texts based on their presentations by the end of March for publication in a special issue of Forum Bosnae, Žarko Papić: liber amicorum.

The conference is open to all members and friends of the IFB. The conference will also be available on Zoom.

MFB Press