International Forum Bosnia and CASE, Poland, become newest members of PASOS

The PASOS Board, meeting in Prague on 21 May 2008, approved the applications for PASOS membership of two independent think-tanks, namely CASE - Center for Social and Economic Research, from Poland, and the first member of PASOS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, International Forum Bosnia.

International Forum Bosnia (IFB) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1997 in Sarajevo. Although IFB's members adhere to the view of the sustainability of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole, they believe that the development of the country calls for the formation of a new intellectual community based on dialogue, trust, and respect, within which the totality of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be scientifically examined from diverse perspectives. This community will oppose the existing ethno-national ideologies, which are the underlying causes of mistrust and intolerance as the main generators of social tensions and conflicts. IFB has regional centres in Tuzla, Mostar and Banja Luka.

Through systematic research, the IFB community will identify, develop and promote a new synthesis for Bosnia and Herzegovina, free from fear, hostilities, and tensions. This long-term project includes research at all levels of the society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in geopolitics, geostrategy, history, education, advanced and information technologies, gender issues, regional co-operation, private/public partnership, and other issues related to the efficient transition of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards a harmonious membership in the community of European countries.

The IFB is endeavouring to attain this objective by means of the project "Bosnia: Research and Development".

For more information, visit http://www.ifbosna.org.ba

CASE - the Center for Social and Economic Research is an independent non-profit institute founded on the idea that research-based policy-making is vital for the economic welfare of societies. Established in Warsaw in 1991, CASE today is an internationally renowned think-tank with a network of partner institutions in transition countries. CASE carries out policy-oriented research and development assistance projects, specialising in the transition process in Central and Eastern Europe, the Transcaucasus and Central Asia; European integration; and the world economy.

The mission of CASE is to provide objective economic analysis and to promote constructive solutions to the challenges of transition, reform, integration and development in order to improve the socio-economic well-being of societies. CASE has an extensive track-record of providing high-level policy advice and technical assistance to governments, international organisations, and NGOs.

For more information, visit http://www.case-research.eu