BRČKO, 23 June 2026 – UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Department of Education of Brčko District BiH today signed a Memorandum of Cooperation introducing game-based learning and the educational game Odyssey of Peace into the teaching practice of Brčko District BiH as an innovative approach to learning about peace and for peace.
The signing took place within the framework of the first UN Peacebuilding Week, which also marks 20 years of the existence of the UN Peacebuilding Commission. This event highlights the power of education as a catalyst for social cohesion and the active participation of young people in peacebuilding and other community decision-making processes. By signing the Memorandum, Brčko District BiH joins Tuzla Canton in institutionalizing the educational game “Odiseja mira”, which – at a time when education systems face growing challenges of violence, intolerance and social fragmentation – offers concrete tools for building safer and more inclusive schools.
“Odyssey of Peace” is an educational game and an innovative peace education tool, developed in cooperation with 1,530 students and teachers from more than 60 schools and 20 local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Brčko District BiH. Through its unique “shared destiny” mechanic – where a single player reaching the field of war automatically stops the game for everyone – the game enables experiential learning about positive peace and the development of empathy. “Odyssey of Peace” encourages critical thinking, socio-emotional learning, and the practical exercise of participatory decision-making and non-violent conflict resolution in the classroom and the school. In the context of the educational mission of schools, it contributes to building a culture of trust and to preventing exclusion, discrimination and all forms of violence, from peer and street violence to armed conflict.
Following the signing of the Memorandum in the City Hall, the largest public demonstration of the game to date was held in the City/Central Park, under the title “Outdoor Peace Education Classroom”, gathering more than 200 students and teachers from primary schools of Brčko District BiH.
The game has already been put into use in teaching, and during its most recent application, Ivana Turudija, a student of the Third Primary School in Brčko, shared her experience: “The game “Odyssey of Peace” motivates us to think about peace in a different way. It helps us understand how peace and sustainable development are connected. Through this game I learned a lot of new things about the cultural heritage of other towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now I want to visit those towns and meet the people who live in them. I will certainly do so soon.”
Justine Coulson, UNFPA Representative in BiH, said: “This Memorandum is much more than a formal agreement – it is a commitment to invest in young people and to move from project-based activities to sustainable, systemic peace education. Watching hundreds of young people learning and building connections today through “Odyssey of Peace” reminds us that peace is not only taught, but lived and experienced. I thank the Department of Education of Brčko District BiH for its vision and dedication in bringing peace education closer to young people. Together, we are showing that education is one of the most powerful investments in lasting peace.”
Senad Osmanović, Head of the Department of Education of Brčko District BiH, emphasized: “The educational game “Odyssey of Peace” is a methodologically thoughtful and pedagogically oriented activity that combines creative thinking, teamwork and non-violent communication. During the development of this game and later, during its application, I personally witnessed the great interest of students in this innovative practice of experiential learning about peace. I was particularly pleased that teachers, with the same enthusiasm and a pedagogy of the heart, followed every challenge. Such activities show how important it is to have education based on the values of peace, mutual respect and joint action.”
About the project:
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed within the framework of the project “Youth for Inclusion, Equality and Trust / Zbližimo se”, funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UN PBF), with co-financing from the Embassy of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Bando Balcani initiative.
