SARAJEVO AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY:AN EXAMPLE OF THE TECHNOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION
Stuart A. Umpleby
Department of Management Science The George Washington University Washington, DC 20052
May 12, 2004
A report on a demonstration in an undergraduate class at the Faculty of Economics University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 12, 2004
INTRODUCTION
On May 12, 2004, Stuart Umpleby conducted a demonstration of the Participatory Strategic Planning procedure developed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs. The participants were undergraduate students in Prof. Aziz Sunje's management class in the Faculty of Economics of the University of Sarajevo in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP) process involves five steps:
4. Systematic Actions
Each step of the PSP process uses the Consensus Workshop method. This method entails five steps:
About 40 students participated in the exercise. The exercise was conducted in English. The purpose of the exercise was to demonstrate group facilitation methods, to learn what Bosnian students are thinking about the future of their country and to encourage the students to use such methods for improving the performance of organizations in Bosnia.
Five focus questions, all related to the future of Bosnia, were suggested.
The students chose as a focus question, Sarajevo as an international city.
When a planning exercise is conducted with a business or government agency, usually it is conducted during a weekend, often in a "retreat" setting, when there is more time. Ideally people from outside the organization are also involved particularly during the final parts of the planning activity. These people can relate their experiences with similar problems, suggest alternative actions, and provide sources of needed materials or skills. In addition outside observers may be impressed with the planning exercise and decide to conduct one in their organizations.
RESULTS OF THE TOP EXERCISE, UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO, 5/12/2004VISION
Sports and cultural centerOlympic games again (5 cards) Eurosong winner Win MTV music awards Final champions league in Sarajevo (soccer) Soccer champion league
Joining EuropeNo wars Entering the EU BiH in EU Enter the EU No foreigners in politics No foreign influence People from many countries in Sarajevo International meetings held in Sarajevo
Growing economyMcDonald’s Foreign investment Buy domestic products Decrease unemploymentBetter economic situation Improved living standards Privatization
Tourist CenterSarajevo as tourist center of Balkans Legalize marihuana, Sarajevo = Amsterdam Winter tourism Development of tourism
Improved infrastructure (particularly transportation) Finish 5 C highway Highways New highways Metro
Many academic institutesSarajevo as an educational center Student exchanges International Institutes
Safe and attractive environmentCleaner streets Renovation of destroyed buildings Removal of mines
CONTRADICTIONS
Political system (2) Bad politics (2) Strange politics Politics based on ethnic groups Politics (3) Fascism
Low economic growth rateUnemployment Unemployment of youth No jobs Idleness Low living standards Bad economy Bad economic situation Weak economic situation Unstable environment for foreign investors
Too much corruptionCorruption (8)
Inappropriate Constitution and legal systemBad lawsContradictions in government Two entities – RS and Federation (2) Internal borders One country, three presidents No sanctions for obstructing the law
Low political consciousnessNo interest in politics and economy Irresponsible citizens (lack of interest) Passive youth Political incompetence and lack of commitment to political situation Skepticism and lack of optimism
Inappropriate political judgmentsWrong people in positions of power Wrong people in power Nepotism Officials take advantage of their positions
Foreign influence in governmentToo much foreign influence Interests of foreigners in government Foreign lobbies
Lack of qualified managementWrong education, not relevant Lack of professionalism Lack of good management
Lack of reconciliationSense of injustice War criminals are not in jail
Consequences of the warPhysical and emotional scars of war Technologically behind other countries
STRATEGIES
Restructure the governmentReorganize the political systemChange (remove) government leaders Politically unite BiH Remove separate entities (RS and Federation) (2) Create a united people in Bosnia Conduct politics without foreign involvement Balance imports and exportsIncrease exports Decrease imports and increase exports Increase taxes on alcohol and cigarettes Better control of importsHigher customs duties Improve educational systemEducate people Higher educational standards Better education Acceptance of law concerning education More practice in educational institutions
Improve legal controlsPunish corrupt officials Control the government Stronger sanctions for breaking the law Put war criminals in jail
Improve government managementDecrease administration/ bureaucracy Change some aspects of the lawMake political reforms Make government more effective
Encourage buying domestic productsIncrease government budget for buying domestic products Better marketing of domestic products Government support for SMEs More jobs
Improve economic environmentLow interest rates Reduce taxes Obtain foreign investment
Increase worker involvementWorker participation Include workers in management Invest in Human Resources Management
Positive engagement in Sarajevo’s futureDon’t worry, be happy J Deeper involvement of citizens
Upgrade infrastructureMore technologies More investment in infrastructure
Use local resourcesUse natural resources Use domestic resources
Define and promote the unique features of Sarajevo and BiHEuropean promotion of BiH potentials
Appropriate support for retired people
ACTIONS
Encourage students to become a member of a political partyCreate better communication between students and government Increase participation of BiH youth in politics Start student political organizations Start a student organizationWe need to help each otherAdvertise student movement
Adopt educational innovationsHave practice in projects before finishing school Increase ecology education
Write articles about today’s Sarajevo
Start or revitalize student newspaper
Organize charity auctions to raise money
Show all people the real situation in Bosnia
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Quarter of the yearActions 2/ 04 3/ 04 4/ 04 1/ 05
Involve students Recruit students Students work Work with officialsin politics for campaigns in campaigns to implement programs
Start student Check into history Create plan for Find students for newspaper of student newspapers starting or improv. various jobs
student govt identify key issues key issues
REFERENCES
Umpleby, S., Medvedeva, T. and Oyler, A. “The Technology of Participation as a Means of Improving Universities in Transitional Economies,” World Futures, Vol. 6, Nos. 1-2, pp. 129-136.
Umpleby, S. and Oyler, A. “A Global Strategy for Human Development: The Work of the Institute of Cultural Affairs,” Proceedings of the annual meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences, Crete, Greece, July 7-11, 2003.
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