Young people in Cazin have shown how a connection to their community and its past can spark meaningful change. Through the initiative “Stone – The Voice of Time”, led by Mirela Nuhan as part of the Learn, Think, and Act! (UMiD) programme and the Training for Teachers and Support Staff run by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, students from Cazin High School partnered with the organisation Every Life Counts to explore and promote the cultural and historical heritage of their region.
They visited monuments and historic sites, learned about their histories, researched them, and, through creative workshops and volunteer activities, learned how to preserve and present the rich heritage of their community. Many students were unfamiliar with all the local historical landmarks, so this project helped them connect with the past and recognize their identity and roots in its architecture, cobbled streets, and stories.
“If it weren’t for this project, I probably never would have known about everything our town has to offer. I’m so proud,” said one student. Another added: “Now I finally understand who we are and where we come from.”
Students demonstrated creativity and teamwork, and many spoke publicly about historical sites for the first time, presenting their work confidently. What impressed them most was realising that their knowledge and involvement could make a visible difference in the community.
The project culminated in the event “Walls of Memory”, where students presented their research, displayed a photo exhibition, and unveiled a map installed in front of the school as a symbolic bridge between the past, present, and future, reflecting the essence of the initiative.
The project provided young people with the opportunity to step outside the classroom and become active stewards of their own history. While visiting local landmarks, they experienced them not as ruins but as living witnesses of identity and heritage. Mirela Nuhan, the author of the initiative, said the experience was transformative.
“Young people realized they can drive change and that their ideas, effort, and creativity can be recognised and valued in the community. That encouraged them to keep going and to believe that change starts with them.”
The impact is visible even after the project ended: students now speak with pride about cultural monuments, visit them more often, and encourage others to do the same. The map in front of the school has become a meeting point, and interest in new projects and workshops continues to grow.
Mirela notes that the Training for Teachers and Support Staff delivered by the Institute for Youth Development KULT was essential to the project’s success:
“The training strengthened me both professionally and personally. I learned new pedagogical methods and received support that helped me bring this idea to life. In the end, I felt genuinely empowered because, in a way, I became the one making positive change happen in my community.”
“Cherish your heritage, stories, and traditions, because those are your roots and the source of your strength. Create, explore, and don’t be afraid to leave your mark, even a small one, because those little marks build the foundations of a better future. Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow stronger. Every step you take and every word you speak connects past generations with the present,” said Mirela in her message to young people.
Learn, Think and Act! (UMiD) is a three-month training program implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. The program consists of three modules and ten units designed to help young people become active members of society and leaders in their communities. The nineteenth cohort of UMiD in 2025 included ten young participants from ten different communities across BiH.
