Postovani Emir, Alma, svi clanovi upravni odbor IGK, i uvazeni gosti koji su dosli u Torontu ovaj vikend na Akademiju - zelim uzeti ovu priliku da Vam svima cestitam (ipak sa zakasnjenje) Sretan 1 mart, Dan Nezavisnosti Bosne i Hercegovine, i da Vam se javim sa par rijeci na engleski:

 

I have been a member of the Institute for Research of Genocide Canada since 2010 - not long after it was founded, as it turns out. I wrote my first piece on Bosnia - Christmas in Sarajevo - in December, 2009, during my days as a columnist with the now-defunct Hudson Gazette. At the time, I realized that the upcoming July 11th would mark the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide. I wanted to write about this occasion for my column, and so I gradually became acquainted with members of Toronto’s Bosniak community by May/June of 2010.

 

I was pleased to have been given the opportunity to join the community for the Srebrenica Genocide Commemoration weekend in July of that year. I was also glad to have the chance to write about this event in my column. Shortly afterwards, Professor Emir Ramic bestowed upon me the honour of  membership in IGC’s International Team of Experts.

 

Since those days, I have continued to collaborate with the IGC. I have been on a journey that has taken me to many places - the most significant being Bosnia, in the summer of 2012. While there, I participated in the Srebrenica Peace March and attended the burial of 520 Bosniak men in Srebrenica-Potocari on July 11th. During that trip (as well as before and after), I have had the opportunity to meet victims and survivors of the Bosnian war and genocide, including those who have survived concentration camps and rape camps.

 

My journey continues to this day. I am proud of the fact that I am now on IGC’s managing board. These days, most of my free time is dedicated to writing a book on the Bosnian War and Genocide - based on all of the columns and pieces I have written, as well as additional material.

 

I am pleased with the fact that IGC has new members in its board in recent years. I believe that this is one of the factors essential for the survival and growth of the Institute. I commend Professor Ramic and all of the board members for all of your tireless efforts to work towards lasting peace, justice and a better future for Bosnia. My hope is that we can all continue working together towards this collective goal.

 

 

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

 

Susy