Forum of Tuzla Citizens (FTC) was founded in 1993 as a result of the need and determination to preserve Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole, independent and decentralised sovereign state, regulated upon parliamentary democratic principles, within its historical and geo-political borders, recognised by the international community, so that no part of its territory can be considered a part of national territory by any of its nations, as well as an answer to the growth of nationalism in its own surrounding.

FTC is not a party association, and within it, citizens are gathering by their own free will and personal choice. Affiliation to any political, national, gender, religious, social or age group does not constitute an obstacle to participation in Forum. FTC was founded by citizen-individuals, not by the representatives of political, national, religious, social or age groups. In that regard FTC is open to every citizen who cares for the preservation and development of the traditional democratic, urban, cultural and ethnic values of Tuzla and BiH as a multinational and a mullet-religious civic community.

PRINCIPLES AND ASSIGNMENTS

FTC supports:

•  Punishment of all war criminals
•  The return of all displaced persons and refugees to their ancient hearths and the return of their property
•  Starting a process of mutual trust re-establishment motivated by the humanism and strength of spiritualism.
•  Support and active participation in all constructive peaceful initiatives which are in accordance with FTC principles and assignments
•  Encouragement of democratic activities in all spheres of life in Tuzla and in Bosnia and Herzegovina
•  Exerting a strong influence and reacting to all events in the town and in Bosnia and Herzegovina , which are opposite to democratic principles of FTC programme
•  Demanding the full equality of all citizens, disregarding their political, national, religious, gender, social or age affiliation
•  Respecting the human rights and freedoms according to the 1948 UN Declaration of the Human Rights.
•  Developing the patriotic feelings of BiH nations on the basis of the positive cultural and ethnic experiences in our region
•  Protecting multinational and multireligious inheritance in accordance with the civilised world's standards
•  Spreading the feeling of love, loyalty and devotion for the town, including the protection of Tuzla town and its traditional, spiritual and cultural essence
•  Creating conditions for the establishment of a European quality of life and work in all spheres
•  Saving, protecting and preserving the environment by taking all ecological measures in that regard
•  Preservation and development of each individual's potential for their work on realisation of projects which will involve Tuzla in all European trends and processes
•  Associating and co-operation with similar associations from BiH, Europe and beyond.

ORGANISATION

FTC Main board is an executive body that has 9 members including a president and two vice-presidents.

FTC Council is an advisory body consisting of 30 prominent Tuzla citizens.

MEMBERSHIP

Every citizen of Tuzla can become an FTC member, regardless of age, sex, religious, political, national or social background. An FTC membership card is proof of membership. In FTC activities members are getting involved on a basis of personal interests, wishes and capabilities.

PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

In the time of ten-month blockade of Tuzla , FTC organised series of public tribunes titled "How To Survive".

FTC is organiser of cultural event " Tuzla 's Autumn". Within this event FTC organised poetry night, exhibition of cultural inharitance of Museum of East Bosnia, exhibition of fine arts from private collections, fair of literature for children.

FTC was engaged on providing and distribution of humanitarian aid.

FTC organised two public debates under the titles " Bosnia and Herzegovina In The Light of Geneva " and "The Washington Agreement", in May and July of 1994.

FTC, in co-operation with Verona Forum from Brussels and Association of Independent Intellectuals Circle 99 from Sarajevo organised an International conference under the title "Is Europe Possible Without Multiculturalism?" held in Tuzla on November 3 - 5 1994, under sponsorship of the European Parliament.

FTC, in association with the Helsinki Citizens Assembly and Municipal Council Tuzla, organised an International conference under the title "Local Democracy in BiH And Europe", held in Tuzla on November 14 - 17 1994.

FTC, in co-operation with city of Bologna and organisation of German-Bosnian friendship from Wuppertal , realised project of "Distant Godfather", when more then 200 Tuzla 's families were included.

In February 1995, FTC organised a public debate "Protection of Human Rights", and in April of the same year, organised a debate that promoted the Ombudsman Office in the Federation of BiH.

Over the system of e-mail connection ZAMIR, FTC organised writen communication with all republics of former Yugoslavia and whole world in the time of informative blockade and broken connections. Over the same system, FTC realised projcet "Letters" that provides writen communication to citizens with foreign countries. Over 100 letters daily were sent and received throgh this system.

FTC has been a co-organiser of the IV General Assembly of Helsinki Citizens Assembly, which was held in Tuzla on October 19 - 22 1995 where we had around 600 participants throughout the country and world.

On October 22, 1995, FTC in co-operation with Association "Circle 99" from Sarajevo published Charter that consists basic principles of organisation of common state of BiH.

FTC published booklet "Introduction to Human Rights" that represent first serious writen work in the field of human rights in the history of BiH. This project was supported by NCA (Norwegian Church Aid).

The FTC initiates and leads the project 'Citizens Alternative Parliament of BiH' that initiate, encourage and financialy support and connect local citizens' initiatives at the state level. The founding assembly of CAP BiH was held on August 31 1996. The office of CAP BiH is based in Tuzla .

National Endowment for Democracy, Washington support work of CAP BiH and its members through project "Citizens Alternative Parliament - Strengthening of Civil Society" since 1997. At the beginning CAP BiH had 14 members, and until today it developed network of 30 very respectable NGOs, recognized in their communities.

In co-operation with United States Institute for Peace, FTC works on establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will work on the territory of whole BiH, and will be appointed by BiH Presidency.

In co-operation with IKV and Helsinki Board for Human Rights in RS, FTC leads project "The Way Back" that helps displaced persons from Tuzla and Bijeljina to return to their homes. Project was successfully finished in 2001 when we arranged reconstruction of 20 houses in Janja and Požarnica and provided return for refugees and returnees in Janja also received three tractors.

In 2002, also in co-operation with IKV and new established organisation Forum of Srebrenica Citizens, project will be continued in Srebrenica region.

In co-operation with ABF Geteborg from Sweden, FTC is implementing educational program "ABF-FTC Data Studio" where citizens are educated in the field of information technologies. Beside getting of very useful knowledge, as well internationaly acknowledged certificate (ECDL) after passed tests, student are additionaly educated in the field of democratization of society, protection of human rights, role of NGOs, trade unions, media, etc. in building of civil society.

In July 1999, FTC organised international conference "How to Reach Stability in SEE", where actors of political alternative from the region presented their opinions about Stability Pact for SEE.

FTC has successful co-operation with Olof Palme International Center from Stockholm since 1996. With their support FTC organised many activities aimed to democratisation and building of civil society in BiH. During 2000 and 2001, within joint project titled "NGO Incubator", FTC suppored work and strengthening of three NGOs: "Future" Modriča, "Milićanin" Milići and Forum of Gradačac Citizens. In 2002, co-operation with OPC is continued through the project "Voice of Citizens" aimed to implement rights, obligations and responsibilities of the citizens in relation to authorities and vice versa, as well establishment and affirmation of dialogue between citizens and local authorities.

During 1999, 2000 and 2001 FTC organised many round tables and public trinues of different topics (human rights, return, privatisation, economical situation, etc.) throughout BiH - Bijeljina, Drvar, Višegrad, Livno, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, etc.