UNSA at the 25th Anniversary of the Rome International Seminar: World Conference of Rectors and Meeting with Pope Leo XIV
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Rome International Seminar—an event that began in 2000 at the University of Sarajevo and has brought together international students and universities for over twenty-five years, with a special focus on countries facing crises—a World Conference of Rectors titled “University, the New Way for Peace” was held.
The conference took place from 27 October to 2 November 2025, at the University of Rome Tre in Rome. A delegation from the University of Sarajevo, comprising Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović (Rector), Prof. Dr. Kemal Durić (Vice Rector for International Cooperation), Dr. Jasna Bošnjović (Head of the International Cooperation Office), and Ardian Adžanela (alumnus of the State Management and Humanitarian Affairs program, class of 2004–2006), participated in the program, panels, and accompanying activities.
Rector Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Kemal Durić were among the speakers and panelists at the conference, where they shared the experience of the University of Sarajevo—a institution that has borne witness to both the tragedy of war and the triumph of reconciliation throughout its history. They emphasized that education is the foundation of dialogue and cooperation among nations and that universities bear the responsibility to shape generations that will act in the spirit of ethics, solidarity, and social responsibility.
Additionally, Rector Zaimović took part in the session “Education and Solidarity: The Role of University Networks,” where he presented the University of Sarajevo’s experiences and contributions to the development of international academic cooperation and the promotion of a culture of peace through education.
As part of the conference program, Rector Zaimović was also invited to meet with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, to whom he extended an invitation for a visit to Sarajevo—a city exemplifying coexistence, dialogue, and understanding.
The conference gathered representatives from 46 universities from around the world, including numerous rectors, vice rectors, and members of the academic community. Also participating were many ambassadors, United Nations representatives, and officials from military structures involved in international peacekeeping missions. This diverse and interdisciplinary assembly enabled the exchange of opinions, experiences, and perspectives on issues of peace preservation and construction, as well as the role of education, diplomacy, and science in strengthening global stability and mutual understanding. Discussions also focused on the concept of peace as a fundamental prerequisite for social, economic, and cultural development, and as a lasting obligation of the academic community toward humanity.
By participating in this prestigious international gathering, the University of Sarajevo once again confirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation and the role of the academic community in promoting peace, education, and global solidarity. The presence of the Sarajevo University delegation at the World Rectors Conference was of great significance, as it enabled active engagement of our institution in dialogue with leading universities and international organizations on the most pressing contemporary challenges. In this way, the University of Sarajevo reaffirmed its status as a recognized partner in the European and global academic space, contributing to the dissemination of its core values—openness, tolerance, and intercultural understanding. Our representatives’ participation in panels and discussions demonstrated that the University of Sarajevo not only follows international trends but also actively participates in shaping them. The exchange of experiences and the establishment of new contacts during the conference further strengthened the foundations for future cooperation with universities and institutions worldwide.
The Rome International Seminar is organized by the European Association of International Studies (AESI), led by Director Prof. Dr. Massimo Mario Caneva, in cooperation with the University of Rome Tre, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), with the participation of numerous universities and international partners.
