Austin, Texas
MAY 19-21, 2023
Dynamic Landscapes: Cultivating Sustainable Change
This year through our theme Dynamic Landscapes: Cultivating Sustainable Change, we are reflecting on movement, boundaries, development and nourishment in our communities. As a growing diaspora population in North America, we look to previous generations for problem solving guidance while also innovating the possibilities for our future.
Riada Ašimović Akyol
Riada Ašimović Akyol is a multimedia journalist, podcaster, storyteller with ten years of experience in the industry. Her writing on politics from the wider Balkans, religion, culture and gender has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, New Lines, Al-Jazeera, Al-Monitor, The Nation. She has made frequent appearances on international television shows and conferences featuring conversations about journalism, Bosnian genocide and related topics. Most recently, she's worked as Strategic Initiatives Editor at New Lines Magazine, where besides writing her essays and commissioning external writers, she helped shape strategic expansion, oversaw the development and realization of special projects and launch of new products in digital format and multimedia.
She is also an avid podcaster and founder of “Dignified Resilience.” For New Lines, she channeled her passion for facilitating meaningful conversations to producing and hosting “Good Talk” Instagram Live Series and weekly “Wider Angle” audio and video interview podcast.
2023 Keynote Speaker
Let’s brainstorm!
In anticipation of our 8th conference, we want to take the time to reflect on some of the following questions listed in the next section. Our intent is not to answer every question during the conference but to think creatively about how some of these answers could be answered in collaboration with BiH residents and members of the diaspora.
-
How can we create healthy socio-cultural changes while maintaining our roots?
What needs to be done to improve the healthcare system in BiH?
How can we better support maternal and reproductive health in BiH?
How do we address domestic violence in our communities?
How do we create supportive environments for people living with intergenerational trauma?
How has genocide impacted our mental and physical health in BiH and in the diaspora?
How has lack of environmental regulation impacted the health of BiH residents?
How can we support the physical, mental and emotional development of children in BiH and/or in the diaspora?
How can we support people who are in a mental health crisis in BiH and/or in the diaspora?
-
How are we cultivating new leaders in BiH and in the diaspora?
How does white supremacy impact our understanding of race, ethnicity and religion in BiH and in the diaspora?
How are we creating affirming spaces for People of Color who are also Bosnian in our communities?
How are we creating affirming spaces for multiethnic people who are also Bosnian in our communities?
How are we creating affirming spaces for people with disabilities in our communities?
-
How did the war and genocide in BiH impact the current political picture?
How do we transform the ways in which we deal with conflict without causing more harm?
How has sports culture influenced how we understand conflict and/or nationalism?
How are we or others impacted by state borders?
How has nationalism impacted our diaspora communities?
How do we build a sustainable method for civic engagement in the diaspora?
-
How do we cultivate and support the arts in BiH and in the diaspora?
How do we cultivate and support academic researchers in BiH and in the diaspora?
How do we cultivate supportive communities for community members who are struggling financially?
How do we cultivate supportive communities for community members who are domestic violence or sexual assault survivors?
How do we cultivate supportive communities for community members who are survivors of the genocide?
How can we physically create more accessible spaces for people with disabilities in BiH and/or in the diaspora?
Friday, May 19, 2023 - Day 1
Casual Food Truck Outing*
6pm - 8pm
Rainey Street Food Truck Lot, 82 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Grab dinner with attendees or on your own.
BiHDC Welcome Reception
8pm - 10pm
Reverberry Room, Hilton Austin, 500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Reception will feature networking activities and a cash bar. Please note, we are unable to provide any food at the reception, so take advantage of the food truck outing if you can!
Saturday, May 20, 2023 - Day 2
9am - 6pm, Conference Day
The Sunset Room, 310 E 3rd St, Austin, Texas 78701
9:00AM Registration
9:30AM Opening Remarks
9:45AM Keynote Speaker: Riada Ašimović Akyol
10:45AM Business & Investment Opportunities for BiH Diaspora
Dino Bešlić & Nura Eston | Authority Partners
Nedžad Lomigora |Falcon Venture Partners
Dobrila-Boba Vukmanović | USAID
Maida Salkanovic - BiHDC Moderator
12:15PM Lunch Break
1:30PM The Art of Connection
Amina Bajrović, Storyteller and Artist
Adis Halilović, Artist
Tea Sefer - BiHDC Facilitator
3:15PM Grounding Activity
Vedrana Skopljak
Dzenana Jašarević
3:30PM Sustainable Development in BiH and the Balkans: Policy, Strategy and Diaspora Initiative
Drilon Gashi - Deloitte
Emir Nurkić Kacapor - Institute for Developmental Impact (I4DI)
Amir Memić - Confluent Power
Adi Sarić - BiHDC Moderator
5:00PM Closing Remarks
Social Activity
Time: Evening
Social outing time and location to be determined. During this portion of the second day, you can enjoy a social activity with attendees and unwind from the long day of engaging with the conference content.
Sunday, May 21, 2023 - Day 3
Social Activity
Time: Morning - Afternoon
Social outing time and location to be determined. The third day is typically used by attendees and presenters for a closing brunch and for exploring the city.
Schedule
Check out our previous keynote speakers
From students to business owners to academics, our speakers have a variety of personal and professional experience in the subject matter that they present on at the conference.
-
Velma Saric, Post Conflict Research Center
Dr. Jasmin Mujanovic, Political Scientist
Kyle Laitinen, Native American & Bosnian community member
-
Emina Zahirovic-Pintaric, Restart.ba
Eddie Custovic, BH Futures Foundationon
-
Jasminko Halilovic, Founder & Director, War Childhood Museum
Dr. Senahid Halilovic, Author, Novi Pravopis bosanskoga jezika
Lucas Jensen, International Republican Institute, Re:Generacija
-
Selma Selman, Artist
Emina Bošnjak, Executive Director, Sarajevo Open Center
-
Ajla Delkic, President, Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Harun Mehmedinovic, Photographer, Skyglow
-
Elvisa Kovacevic, Life Coach
Aida Sehovic, Artist, Sto Te Nema
-
Zlatko Filipovic, Journalist and Associate Producer, CBS News
Present your work
Our content is primarily driven by proposals from: community activists, academics, healthcare professionals, business and trade professionals, artists and students.
All proposals must encompass our vision of solidarity and education, while also including our values of collaboration, ambition, and diversity and inclusiveness.
All submissions are peer reviewed and evaluated based on originality and relevance to the Conference. English is the official language of the Conference; however, submissions in the Bosnian language are also welcome.
Proposal submissions are officially closed for this year.
The BiH Diasporic Conference is an event fiscally sponsored by the Bosnian American Genocide Institute & Education Center, a 501c3 nonprofit organization registered in the United States.
I want to attend but I can’t afford to register…
We think everyone who wants to attend deserves an opportunity to attend regardless of ability to afford the registration fee. Our sponsors generously make this a possibility. So if you cannot afford to attend please apply here.