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For the last 11 years, the Brussels-based think tank “Friends of Europe” has been selecting individuals under the age of 40 who have positioned themselves as leaders in their respective fields. This year, WCM’s Founder and CEO, Jasminko Halilovic is selected the European Young Leader for his work on the creation of the WCM.

“Jasminko Halilović is a leading conflict researcher from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who compiled short recollections from people who experienced the Bosnian War as children into “War Childhood”. The award-winning book has now been translated into six languages. He went on to establish the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo, the world’s only museum exclusively dedicated to childhoods affected by armed conflict. Halilović has developed the museum from a small local initiative into an international non-profit with offices in Sarajevo, Kyiv, The Hague and New York City.”

This year’s EYL40 Class of 2023 includes award-winning investigative journalists, a mega-star of modern-day football, politicians from all levels of government and speakers of national parliaments, a male supermodel and philanthropist, renowned scholars, innovators leading the green digital transition, as well as creative tech-based healthcare professionals. In addition to our Founder, this year’s list includes two of the WCM’s friends, German Parliament Member Adis Ahmetovic and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2022, Oleksandra Matviichuk.