Considering the current circumstances with the pandemic, this year’s theme for the 26th anniversary of the commemoration of the genocide in 
Srebrenica by the organization Remembering Srebrenica was published as part of the online program. The online program was started by Arnesa Buljušmić-Kustura with welcoming words. Each year Remembering Srebrenica chooses a theme that reflects an aspect of the genocide that needs to be commemorated, but also speaks to communities here in the UK.
The audience was addressed at the very beginning by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, president “Remembering Srebrenica”
organization. In his address, he reflected on the achievements of the organization since its founding in 2013. He named all the participants and thanked them for their support and all their efforts to promote opposition to hatred and help build stronger, more cohesive communities for all. “Although the previous year was full of challenges due to the pandemic, we managed to confront them. We organized thousands of online commemoration programs of the memory of the genocide in Srebrenica. Thank you to the team of enthusiastic volunteers, the United Kingdom and the regions of England. Thank you all. Thank you to the survivors and mothers of Srebrenica.” Lord Bourne declared.
The topic was announced by Lord Greenhalgh , Minister of State at MHCLG (Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government). 
administration) in the government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “ We have witnessed brutal genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when more than two million people sought refuge around the world, with approximately 10,000 Bosnians coming to the UK. How can we learn from their experiences to ensure that history does not repeat itself? How can they and their communities heal from unimaginable pain and trauma? This theme is about us all following their humble example. Many survivors have shown immense strength and courage, not only in rebuilding their lives but also in helping refugees from around the world to do the same, like those being supported at Bosnian House in Birmingham, to start new lives in the UK,” said Lord Greenhalgh.
The theme for 2021 is “Renewal of Life”. The theme aims to honor the survivors and shed light on their stories that show how they have rebuilt their lives dealing, on the one hand, with the trauma of losing loved ones and livelihoods, as well as overcoming pain and suffering on a level that is difficult for others to comprehend. While on the other hand, life in reality continued.
However, despite this, the survivors showed an inspiring strength and determination to rebuild their lives without calling for retribution against the perpetrators and instead focusing on seeking justice as a critical component of the rebuilding process. Many have used their experiences to help refugees around the world, while others have spoken out against hate and bigotry in an effort to educate future generations about the devastating consequences that can occur if prejudice is allowed to flourish unchecked.
In addition to members of the British Parliament, the online event was attended by Željko Komšić , a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Herzegovina, who in his speech emphasized that he was honored to be invited to participate in such an event. He especially thanked the organization Remembering Srebrenica, whose contribution to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the preservation of the truth is immeasurable. “There is no appropriate punishment for the crimes committed. The greatest punishment is those who survived the genocide, as well as the truth itself, which will outlive everything. Two and a half decades later, a completely new generation of Bosnians and Herzegovinians has grown up in BiH and in the world. A generation that not only does not forget what was done to them and their fellow citizens, but also makes extraordinary efforts to ensure that the voices of the victims are not silenced and that the truth about what was committed is unquestionable,” said Mr. Komšić.
Lisa Nandy , Shadow Foreign Secretary, Kirsty Williams , Welsh Education Secretary and Peter Osborne , Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee also addressed the audience, reminding viewers of the work that Northern Ireland is doing to build stronger communities and remember the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Viewers also heard stories of Bosnian citizens who, despite the horrors of war, managed to rebuild their lives and contribute to and enrich new communities. Elvir Klempić is a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide who, after being displaced, became an assistant to President Biden in Biden’s election campaign in charge of relations with ethnic communities in the United States. Alma Aganović survived the Siege of Sarajevo and rebuilt her life in the UK as the Executive Director of Marketing at South and City College Birmingham . Amra Dautovic is a genocide survivor who has dedicated her career to studying trauma and forensic criminology as a way of coming to terms with the horrors experienced by her community. Lejla Delić , a second-generation survivor, will perform a powerful poetry recitation that speaks to the topic.
In the closing speech, dr. Azmi Waqar, founder of Remembering
Srebrenica Organization, thanked everyone who supported this event. He noted that this evening we were able to witness the courage of survivors who rebuilt their lives and homes. What they did was extraordinary and inspiring. He thanked all the guests and viewers who got involved to support the unveiling of the new theme of Remembering Srebrenica for 2021. He thanked the organization team for their effort and dedication, Lord Greenhalgh and the British government, without whose support and assistance the work of Remembering Srebrenica would not have been possible.
The theme will also illustrate the role that individuals, organizations, and nations have played in enabling survivors of genocide to rebuild their lives, while encouraging others to reflect on their own responsibilities in combating hatred, intolerance, and genocide denial.
Bosnia UK Network
