By Anand Sheombar, IIMA 2026 president
The International Information Management Association (IIMA) is proud to announce its 37th annual conference, taking place from September 6 to September 10, 2026. Hosted by the International Burch University in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the conference theme is “Rebuilding Bridges: Sustainable Cyber-Physical Integration in the AI Era”. This gathering invites scholars and practitioners to explore how technology can be developed ethically, equitably, and for the public good.
Sarajevo: The Timeless Crossroads of Information and Knowledge
Sarajevo has long served as a vibrant hub of culture and a testament to its location at the crossroads of different civilisations. Due to its long history of religious and cultural diversity, it is known as the “Jerusalem of Europe”, symbolising a unique intersection where East meets West. Historically, this geography served as an important place along the Silk Road, with its old bazaars, caravanserais, and Ottoman-style markets facilitating not only the trade of goods but also the exchange of knowledge and information.
This culture of exchange is perhaps best embodied in the Bosnian coffee ritual. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, coffee is not merely a beverage; it is a universal experience and a symbol of unity. The familiar phrase “Haj’mo na kafu” (Let’s have coffee) represents an act of respect and friendship, a time-honoured protocol for building connections and bridging generations. In the discipline of information management, this reminds us that the most effective systems of exchange are those rooted in human-centred design and social interaction.
Resilience and the Reconstruction of Memory
However, Sarajevo’s history also carries the heavy burden of the 1990s conflict and genocide. During a 44-month siege, the city’s National and University Library (Vijećnica) was targeted and destroyed, an act of “cultural genocide” aimed at erasing a people’s historical diversity and memory. Similarly, the iconic Old Bridge in Mostar, a metaphysical link between cultures since 1566, was destroyed before being stone-for-stone reconstructed in 2004.
Our conference theme, “Rebuilding Bridges,” draws directly from this legacy of human resilience. Just as Bosnia painstakingly restored its physical monuments to heal its social fabric, we must now build digital bridges that integrate digital systems with the protection of human (digital) rights and information integrity for a peaceful and sustainable digital society.
Bridging Social Capital for a Sustainable Future
To face unknown global challenges, we must cultivate bridging social capital. Creating connections that link diverse racial, religious, or socioeconomic groups, functioning as a “social fabric” to build deeper understanding, consensus and share innovative ideas. By listening to all voices, we can develop solutions for the AI era that prioritise ethical stewardship and transparency.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is already joining this global dialogue, recently signing an agreement for the Digital Europe Programme to integrate with the EU’s digital economy and enhance AI skills. The nation’s capital, Sarajevo, with its growing tech and start-up scene supported by international research centres, offers an inspiring setting for this dialogue.
An Invitation to Converse and Share
The 37th annual conference of IIMA will cover topics including AI ethics, cybersecurity, data governance, and sustainable technology solutions. We invite academic researchers, industrial professionals, and students to join us in a city that has emerged from the scars of war as a symbol of the human spirit’s capacity for healing and rejuvenation.
Come to Sarajevo not just to present research, but to rebuild bridges between people, institutions, and regions, and among human cultures. Join us at International Burch University from September 6-10, 2026, to converse, share ideas, and shape the ethical future of information management.