2013 Year in Review

Dear Friends of ACBH and Bosnia and Herzegovina,  

  

On behalf of the ACBH Board of Directors, volunteers, and staff, I would like to thank you for supporting ACBH in 2013, and we wish you and your loved ones a joyous and prosperous 2014.

ACBH reflects on 2013 as another successful year of advocacy, steady and informed leadership, outreach, and diplomacy. In May of 2013, ACBH welcomed a new Board of Directors, who together with the ACBH Honorary Board Members, volunteers, and partners have been working tirelessly on promoting the ACBH mission.

In 2013, your partnership enabled us to make a difference and achieve important results. We are deeply grateful to all of our supporters in the Bosnian American community and to all who support ACBH and its work.

This year, with your help, ACBH:

  • Organized an event in the U.S. Congress together with the Emerging Democracies Institute titled “Bosnia and Herzegovina 17 Years Later: The U.S. Role in Overcoming Challenges to Stability.” Dr. Emir Suljagic, survivor of the Srebrenica genocide informed senior congressional staff and distinguished guests about the importance of continued U.S. engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), especially in recommitting itself to the Dayton Peace Accords while holding the government of BiH responsible in upholding Annex 7.
  • Conducted diplomatic meetings with various members of the Washington, D.C. policymaking community to discuss the current situation in BiH and advocated for continued U.S. presence in the region.
  • Engaged with Bosnian American communities across the U.S. ACBH presented its work to communities in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL and Washington, D.C. We look forward to continuing to deepen our engagement with the Bosnian American communities and policymakers in the U.S. and BiH in helping Bosnia and Herzegovina remain united, multiethnic, democratic and sovereign.
  • Organized the fifth annual “Bosnian Women’s Day on Capitol Hill” event with the help of the office of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). This year’s keynote speaker was the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United States, H.E. Jadranka Negodic who spoke about the challenges that women face in being included in political and peacemaking processes.
  • Welcomed Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) as the new Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia (Bosnia Caucus). Congresswoman Johnson joined Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Republican Co-Chair in this leadership role.
  • Commemorated the 18th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide on Capitol Hill with distinguished speakers and guests. This year’s keynote speaker was H.E. Ambassador Thomas Miller, U.S. Ambassador to BiH 1999-2001 and Chairman of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) who was joined by H.E. Adnan Hadrovic, Minister-Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of BiH to the U.S. and Mr. Robert Hand, Policy Advisor at the U.S. Helsinki Commission.
  • Increased the membership of the Bosnia Caucus to 29 members of the U.S. Congress. The Bosnia Caucus, co-chaired by two longstanding friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) consists of members from both political parties and is working to shape U.S.-BiH relations.
  • Met with various members of the BiH Parliament and stressed the importance of increased collaboration and partnership between BiH and the U.S.
  • Mobilized Congresswoman Johnson (D-TX) to issue a statement regarding the 21st anniversary of the start of the Bosnian War, voice concerns over Vuk Jeremic’s panel at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and call for the proper recognition of the Srebrenica Genocide at the UN.
  • Hosted the first “Bosnian Bazaar” in Washington, D.C. along with the B-Heart volunteers women’s group where we highlighted Bosnian handicrafts products that support women knitter in BiH.
  • Attended President Clinton’s “Bosnia, Intelligence, and the Clinton Presidency” event that examined the Bosnian war and the role of intelligence in informing senior policymakers. 

The financial strength of ACBH is the most important catalyst for effective results. With that in mind, please help us continue our work and enable ACBH to affect positive change by donating TODAY! All donations to ACBH are tax deductible and will help ACBH remain the premier voice for Bosnian Americans in Washington, D.C.

With sincere thanks and best wishes in 2014,  

Mirzeta Hadzikadic

President

December 31, 2013