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From 18.-25.01.2015. a group of 10 activists, journalists, NGO workers and representatives of government institutions from Ukraine are visiting Sarajevo.

The group is participating in a USAID program in cooperation with World Learning "Do No Harm: Fostering Conflict-Sensitivity in Southern and Eastern Ukraine" which is implemented in BiH by the Peace Academy.

During their residence in Sarajevo, the participants will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of civil society, media and other key actors related to peacebuilding and conflict transformation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The goal of the program is developing conflict-sensitive programs which reduce violence and strengthen peacebuilding processes.

The guests from the Ukraine include representatives of NGOs working on protecting minority rights and vulnerable groups (HIV-positive individuals, handicapped), media as well as local government from Zaporozhe and Kharkov region.

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Ubleha for idiots

  • ACRONYMS (in general)

    One of the important criteria based on which the level of ublehahood is instantly determined. According to this criterion, there are the following levels: The first (highest) level: a person in his/her written communication does not write sentences containing more than 7 words,  where at least 3 words are acronyms. For example: "See. Att. FYI. TBC. Send me your CV ASAP to prepare TOR." In normal language, these two sentences would go something like this: "Attached please find some fudge that is of no benefit to anybody but do keep it so you may show it in case we are  happen to be asked if we considered it.   You may doodle  on it a little and write some comment if you can grab some time.  Most likely, some jerks pulled it out of their asses as it has nothing to do with anything. By no means, if you do happen to read it, take it at face value.  You are still on probation here although half a year has already passed . Write some good CV of yours and backdate it half a year ago and do try to make it compatible to what you have allegedly been doing for us over the past six months. As soon as I get it and find some time, I will rewrite it a bit and name it your job description –just to have it on hand, in case those spooks from above come by. Poselami amidžu (See) and tell him that “ that thing” is OK. " Obviously, the advantages of acronyms are unmistakeable. Time saving, confidentiality of data and transparent professionalism and perfection in technical language usage. Every layman simply has to be fascinated and has to give his/her moral approval for the high salary for the speakers in question.

from Ubleha for Idiots – An Absolutely non useful Guide for Civil Society Building and Project management for Locals and Internationals in BiH and Beyond by Nebojša Šavija-Valha and Ranko Milanovic-Blank, ALBUM No. 20, 2004, Sarajevo, translated by Marina Vasilj.