Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – 12 June 2026 – International Burch University successfully hosted the International Conference on Economic and Social Studies (ICESoS 2026), bringing together distinguished academics, policymakers, diplomats, researchers and students from across Europe and beyond to discuss some of the most pressing questions shaping contemporary societies and economies.
Organised by the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, this year’s conference was held under the theme “Why Nations Prosper: Institutions, Governance and Economic Transformation”, providing a platform for scholarly dialogue on economic development, institutional resilience, public policy and the growing influence of emerging technologies on governance and society.
The conference was moderated by Assist. Prof. Dr Engin Obucic, Head of the Rector's Office at International Burch University. The programme commenced with welcome addresses from Assoc. Prof. Dr Irfan Djedovic, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences and Head of the ICESoS Organising Committee, and Prof. Dr Jasna Durakovic, Minister of Education and Science of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Among the highlights of the conference were keynote addresses delivered by internationally recognised experts.
The first keynote speaker, Dr Renzo Daviddi, former Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and a former senior official of the European Commission, shared valuable insights into socialist interventions and thought-provoking ideas. Drawing upon decades of experience in European policymaking, his address offered important reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing countries undergoing economic and political transformation.
The second keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ganna Pogrebna of Queen’s University Belfast, a leading researcher in the fields of artificial intelligence, behavioural science and economic decision systems. Her presentation, titled “AI-Mature Nations: Institutions, Decision Systems, and the Transformation of Economic Advantage”, explored how governments and institutions can effectively integrate artificial intelligence into decision-making processes while maintaining competitiveness, accountability and public trust.
The programme also featured a book promotion of The Land Remembers, presented by Prof. Dr. Francisco Cabezuelo Lorenzo of Complutense University of Madrid, followed by a discussion with the author, Prof. Dr. Amon Chizema, creating an additional opportunity for intellectual exchange and engagement among participants. The conference paper sessions were moderated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Adem Olovcic and Prof. Dr. Adisa Omerbegovic Arapovic, who facilitated scholarly discussions and guided the presentation of research contributions across the conference tracks.
Throughout the afternoon, researchers presented their work across a series of parallel sessions covering a broad range of topics in economics, social sciences, governance, innovation, digital transformation and public policy. The sessions facilitated meaningful discussions, encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration and enabled participants to exchange ideas and research findings with colleagues from different institutions and countries.
The conference concluded with closing remarks delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr Lejla Ramic-Mesihovic, who reflected on a day marked by thought-provoking discussions, high-quality research presentations and meaningful international academic exchange.
By bringing together leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners, ICESoS 2026 once again demonstrated International Burch University’s commitment to advancing academic excellence, international cooperation and evidence-based dialogue on issues of global significance.
As participants continued discussions during the conference’s evening networking programme in Sarajevo’s CBD, ICESoS 2026 concluded with renewed partnerships, new research connections and a shared commitment to addressing the complex economic and social challenges of the future through knowledge, collaboration and innovation.
Photo Gallery – ICESoS 2026 at International Burch University
Media Coverage:
TVSA Interview (Bosnian)
TVSA Conference Report (Bosnian)