At its 101st session, held in February 2026, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Decision on the Presentation of the “Denis Mrnjavac” Award for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence for 2025. This year’s recipients are Enes Balija, Pavle Palikuća, and Nikolina Kikić, students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and a culture of non-violence through their actions.
Special recognitions were also presented to the schools attended by the award recipients: Jezero Secondary Medical School Sarajevo, Technical School Trebinje, and the Agricultural and Medical School of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in recognition of their contribution to educating young people in the spirit of humanity, solidarity, and responsibility.
On behalf of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, each recipient was presented with a cash prize of BAM 1,500, together with a plaque and a sculpture, in recognition of their contribution to building a society founded on the values of tolerance and non-violence.
The author of the sculpture, Adis Elias Fejzić, spoke about the symbolism of the artwork accompanying the award. He explained that the piece of metal embedded in the wood symbolizes the violent loss of Denis Mrnjavac, while the metal star, composed of sixteen elements forming sixteen heart-shaped symbols, represents Denis’s sixteen years of life. According to Fejzić, the star also serves as a guiding light, inspiring people to become better human beings despite the challenges and complexities of the modern world. He added that the colourful plaque symbolizes the positive side of life and the achievements of this year’s recipients, expressing hope that the award would inspire and encourage them to continue serving as role models for their peers and future generations.
Addressing the audience, the Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dr. Sevlid Hurtić emphasized that tolerance, solidarity, and non-violence are values that society must continuously protect and strengthen. He noted that the award recognizes the courage, dedication, and commitment that have made this year’s recipients outstanding examples within their communities. He added that the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to support initiatives that promote tolerance, mutual respect, and a culture of peace. He congratulated the award-winning students, thanked their schools and parents for guiding and supporting them, and expressed special appreciation to Ana Mrnjavac, Denis’s mother, for her longstanding dedication to preserving her son’s memory and promoting the values embodied by this award.
Ana Mrnjavac said that the purpose of the award is to encourage children and young people to embrace the values of tolerance and non-violence and to inspire them to become neither victims nor perpetrators of juvenile violence and delinquency. She noted that events such as this are deeply emotional for her, while at the same time representing a message of hope that a culture of respect, understanding, and mutual support will continue to flourish among young people. She emphasized that a kind word, a helping hand, or a gesture of understanding can sometimes change — or even save — a young person’s life. She thanked the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as all participants and partners involved in organizing the event, and encouraged young people to take part in the programme in the years to come. She particularly highlighted that this year’s cash prize, plaque, and sculpture had been awarded to students whose actions demonstrate what it truly means to be compassionate, responsible, and humane, despite their young age.
On behalf of this year’s recipients, Nikolina Kikić, a student of the Agricultural and Medical School of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that receiving this award was a great honour. She pointed out that society witnesses various forms of violence every day, making it essential for everyone to contribute, within their own abilities, to preventing and combating it. She emphasized that she sees the award not merely as recognition or financial support, but above all as an encouragement for young people to protect one another and to spread love, peace, and mutual respect. She called on her peers to perform acts of kindness, participate in programmes such as this one, and, through their own example, help build a society in which tolerance, understanding, and humanity prevail over prejudice and violence.
