Sarajevo Hosts Global Gathering of Interreligious Leaders from Over 25 Countries

From June 12 to June 17, Sarajevo hosted the General Assembly of the United Religions Initiative (URI), the largest global network dedicated to interreligious and cross-worldview cooperation, peace building, and violence prevention.

During the six-day program, members of the global URI leadership, along with representatives and network members from over 25 countries, arrived in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event was hosted by the Sarajevo organization Youth for Peace, a long-standing member of the URI network.

For over two decades, URI has operated as a global network, bringing together more than 1,280 local organizations and thousands of individual members in over 120 countries. Their work is based on daily collaboration among people of different religions, spiritual traditions, and beliefs, aimed at building trust, reducing tensions, and ultimately preventing violence in communities. Through local initiatives, education, and joint actions, URI connects communities that may not share the same institutions but face similar challenges and share a common responsibility for peace.

Sarajevo was chosen as the host for its history, contemporary diverse lifestyle, and the role Bosnia and Herzegovina plays in global discussions on reconciliation and rebuilding trust after conflict. Sarajevo is hosting this URI gathering for the second time, following the first General Assembly in 2017.

During their stay, participants had the opportunity, in addition to working sessions, to meet with local organizations, community representatives, and cultural actors, and to experience firsthand models of interreligious cooperation developed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.