Organized by the Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, Hessischer Volkshochschulverband (HVV), and DVV International - Country Office Bosnia and Herzegovina, an expert round table entitled “Adult Education in Sarajevo Canton – Partnership for Future Development” was held yesterday in Sarajevo. The event brought together representatives of institutions, adult education providers, academia, and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of strengthening cooperation and further developing the adult education system.
A special focus of the event was the exchange of experiences between institutions from Sarajevo Canton and the German federal state of Hessen, as well as the identification of joint steps to improve the quality and accessibility of adult education programmes.
Dženita Džano, Director of DVV International - Country Office Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized that adult education in Bosnia and Herzegovina has a long tradition but has lost much of the systemic support it once enjoyed over recent decades. She highlighted that DVV International has been actively contributing to the development and advancement of the adult education sector for more than two decades through cooperation with domestic institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners. She also stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to lifelong learning opportunities, particularly for individuals facing social and economic disadvantages.
Christoph Köck, Director of Hessischer Volkshochschulverband (HVV), underscored that the sustainable development of adult education requires active institutional engagement through strategic planning, adequate funding, and the creation of conditions that motivate citizens to participate in lifelong learning programmes.
Muamer Mahmutović, President of the Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton, noted that adult education today plays a much broader role than reskilling and upskilling alone. According to him, it serves as an important instrument for developing new competencies, maintaining employability, and supporting the professional advancement of citizens in the context of rapidly changing labour market demands.
One of the highlights of the event was the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Economy of Sarajevo Canton and HVV, with the support of DVV International. The Memorandum represents an important step towards strengthening international cooperation, exchanging professional expertise, and jointly developing initiatives that will contribute to the further advancement of adult education in Sarajevo Canton and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Participants of the round table agreed that adult education is one of the key mechanisms for the development of human potential, economic competitiveness, and social inclusion. They emphasized that its further development requires stronger partnerships among institutions, education providers, and employers.