By Nerko Hadziarapovic
“I have two homes. One taught me where I come from. The other taught me what I could become.”
I was born in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina and have spent most of my life in the Netherlands. People occasionally ask me where I feel most at home, and my answer is always: both.
Returning to Bosnia and Herzegovina has never felt like simply travelling to another country. It is an emotional homecoming, where familiarity and discovery coexist. There is a deep sense of pride, gratitude and, at times, a touch of melancholy. Bosnia is the country that shaped my identity and taught me where I come from. The Netherlands is the country that gave me the opportunities to grow, to study, to build a career and ultimately to become the person I am today. Rather than seeing these as two separate worlds, I have come to realise that they complement one another. Together, they have shaped not only my journey, but also my perspective on life.
Perhaps that is why connecting people has become such an important part of who I am. Whether it is bringing together countries, disciplines, generations, education and research, or transforming ideas into meaningful action, I have always believed that progress begins when people are willing to learn from one another.
Life happened to me, and, in many ways, it still does. Much of it was never planned, yet one thread has remained constant throughout my journey: the desire to build bridges. Bridges between cultures, between institutions, between academia and practice, and above all, between people.
This September, one of those bridges becomes a reality. Together with my colleagues at International Burch University (Sarajevo), the International Information Management Association and Hogeschool Utrecht (Lectorat PI&IS), I have the privilege of welcoming researchers, educators, practitioners and students from around the world to Sarajevo for the IIMA 2026 Conference. For many, it will be another international academic conference. For me, however, it represents something far more personal: the opportunity to bring together two communities that have profoundly shaped my life.
More Than Papers
The first time I attended an IIMA conference, I expected to be inspired by the research. What I did not expect was how immediately I would feel part of the community. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with genuine warmth, kindness and curiosity. It quickly became clear that IIMA was more than a gathering of accomplished academics, it was a place where people truly cared about one another.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting researchers from almost every corner of the world. They are leading experts in their disciplines, pushing the boundaries of knowledge in information management, technology, education and innovation. Yet what has impressed me most has never been their impressive CVs or publication records. It has been their generosity: their willingness to listen, to share ideas openly, to collaborate across disciplines and cultures, and to support one another without hesitation.
That unique combination of academic excellence and genuine human connection is what has kept me coming back. The conference itself is intellectually stimulating. Every edition offers thought-provoking presentations, engaging discussions and fresh perspectives on the latest developments in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, management, education and emerging technologies. You leave with new knowledge, new ideas and often the beginning of exciting research collaborations.
But if you ask me what truly distinguishes IIMA from the many excellent conferences around the world, my answer is surprisingly simple: its people. Research may bring us together, but it is the friendships, conversations over coffee, shared meals and lasting collaborations that make IIMA feel less like an annual conference and more like an international family that grows stronger with every meeting.
A Country That Deserves To Be Rediscovered
When people hear “Bosnia and Herzegovina,” many still think of its past, and I understand why. But that is no longer the story I want to tell. Whenever friends ask me why they should visit Bosnia, my answer often surprises them. Part of me almost doesn’t want to tell them, not because there isn’t enough to discover, but because I secretly want to keep this hidden Balkan gem to myself.
Its
breathtaking mountains, crystal-clear rivers, untouched forests, rich coffee
culture, incredible food, infectious sense of humour and, above all, the warmth
and hospitality of its people create an experience that is becoming
increasingly rare in our fast-paced world. There is an authenticity about
Bosnia and Herzegovina that simply cannot be manufactured. Yet I also know that
keeping such a place to myself would be selfish. My friends and colleagues
deserve the opportunity to discover its beauty, its spirit and its remarkable
people for themselves.
From “Take Me to America” to “Come to Bosnia”
Many people from my generation will immediately recognize the famous song by Dubioza Kolektiv, I Am From Bosnia, Take Me to America. For many Bosnians, it became much more than a catchy song. It captured the hopes and frustrations of a generation. For some, it echoed the experiences of war refugees searching for safety. For others, it reflected the aspirations of young people leaving their homeland in search of greater opportunities, openness and a future they struggled to find at home. In reality, it was never just about America, it was about leaving in search of a better life, wherever that might be.
Today, I like to think the story is evolving. Rather than looking beyond its borders, Bosnia and Herzegovina is increasingly welcoming people from around the world to learn, collaborate and experience its rich culture, breathtaking nature and genuine hospitality. I hope IIMA 2026 will be one of those occasions where meaningful academic exchange goes hand in hand with discovering a country that has far more to offer than many people realise.
Investing in the Future
One of the aspects of IIMA 2026 that makes me especially proud is the involvement of Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation. Their mission is both simple and inspiring: to empower talented young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina by connecting them with knowledge, opportunities and an international network.
My hope is that the students will leave inspired by the researchers they meet, but equally that our international colleagues will discover the talent, ambition and potential of Bosnia’s next generation. Because meaningful exchange should always go both ways.
Why Sarajevo?
Some cities simply provide the venue for a conference. Others become an integral part of the experience itself. Sarajevo undoubtedly belongs to the latter.
Situated at the crossroads of East and West, the city has been shaped for centuries by different cultures, religions and traditions that continue to coexist in remarkable ways. Its history tells stories of resilience, its streets reflect diversity, and its people embody a spirit of optimism that has endured through both triumph and hardship. Few places have reinvented themselves as often as Sarajevo, making it a fitting setting for conversations about the future, innovation and international collaboration.
I hope that our delegates will not only remember the presentations they attended, but also the city that welcomed them, challenged their perspectives and reminded them that some of the most meaningful conversations happen long after the conference sessions have ended.
The Water
Cesma Bascarsija (Source: https://furaj.ba/stare-sarajevske-cesme/)
In the heart of Baščaršija there is an ancient water tap. According to local tradition, anyone who drinks its water is destined to return to Sarajevo one day. Whether or not you believe in legends is beside the point, but I genuinely hope every participant of IIMA 2026 takes a sip.
Not because of superstition, but because I hope they leave Sarajevo with such wonderful memories that returning simply feels inevitable.
One Mission
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle described eudaimonia as human flourishing, a life lived with purpose, virtue and in service of the common good. It is a concept that has inspired me for many years, not only in my academic work but also in the way I try to approach life.
What has always mattered most to me is contributing, in whatever small way I can, to a world where people understand one another a little better; where education creates opportunities, research serves society, and differences become the starting point for meaningful conversations rather than barriers between people.
That mission is never complete. It is built through small moments, collaborations and shared experiences that make a difference. Hosting IIMA 2026 in Sarajevo, together with International Burch University and Hogeschool Utrecht, is one of those moments that I will always cherish.
If, after reading this, you decide to join us in Sarajevo, I hope you will leave with much more than conference proceedings or a collection of business cards. I hope you will discover a remarkable country, become part of an extraordinary international community, and perhaps, even if only for a moment, experience what I have been fortunate enough to experience throughout my life: the feeling that home is not defined by a single place, but by the people who welcome you there.