Shaping Stories, Building Trust: Sarajevo Hosts Regional Conference on Media, Dialogue and Trust

Over four days of panels, workshops, and discussions, participants explored how media can shape constructive and gender-sensitive narratives, counter hate speech and disinformation, and responsibly use artificial intelligence in journalism and public communication.

The event was jointly organized by UNESCO and UN Women under the regional project Youth for Inclusion, Equality and Trust (Y4IET), implemented with the support of the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) — a global instrument providing strategic support to countries in their peacebuilding efforts. The initiative aims to empower young people to promote constructive narratives, strengthen intercultural dialogue, advance inclusion and gender equality, and foster mutual understanding and trust.

The conference was opened by Arnhild Spence, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Fermin Cordoba from the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who emphasized that truthful, ethical, and responsible journalism is the foundation of trust and a cornerstone of sustainable peace, reminding that young journalists can help bring facts back to the center of public dialogue.

On behalf of the organizers, Siniša Šešum, Head of the UNESCO Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Jo-Anne Bishop, UN Women Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also addressed participants.

The Sarajevo conference offers young people an invaluable opportunity to enhance their skills in media and information literacy, artificial intelligence, and ethical journalism. By promoting inclusive and gender-sensitive reporting, we strengthen dialogue, build trust, and empower young people to become agents of change in the region, said Šešum.

Across the region, more than half of women active online report digital violence. With Y4IET, we’re equipping young journalists to challenge misinformation, center people over clicks, and make the internet safer for everyone - a goal that stands at the heart of this year’s 16 Days of Activism, said Bishop.

Throughout the conference, young journalists engaged with experts on the key challenges of modern journalism — from the responsible use of artificial intelligence and ethical reporting to gender-sensitive storytelling and countering hate speech. Workshops focused on practical skills such as identifying disinformation, addressing harmful online content, and developing constructive and inclusive narratives. Through interactive sessions, lectures, and group work, participants learned about the role of media in building public trust and strengthening professional standards in the digital environment.

The programme concluded with the creative competition “Youth Changing Narratives”, where participants created and presented short videos on combating hate speech, promoting gender equality, and ethical journalism — symbolically closing four days dedicated to dialogue, ethics, and collaboration among young people from across the region.

Beyond the educational component, participants connected through informal and cultural activities in Sarajevo, creating a network of future media professionals who use their stories to strengthen dialogue, trust, and peace.

In the spirit of continued collaboration, UNESCO and UN Women announced plans to maintain cooperation with this network of young journalists through joint activities, mentorship, and thematic exchanges. The next gathering is planned for spring 2026 in Tirana — another opportunity to share experiences, develop joint stories, and further strengthen dialogue and trust among youth across the region.