Thursday 28 March 2013

Introducing the ROM Team – Minela Pervanovic




Minela Pervanovic is a senior student of International Law and Diplomacy at the American University in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Her desire is to stay in her country, Bosnia-Herzegovina and to be involved in the political and social processes that would improve economic and social life of the citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Minela attended Renewing Our Minds Gathering (ROM) for the first time when she was 20 years old. She was recommended by Asja Powys-Smith (ROM generation 2001), a young lady from Bosnia-Herzegovina who now lives, studies and works in Oxford, UK.
Experiencing ROM for the first time in the summer of 2009 was a deep and precious experience for Minela. She says: “ROM represented Jesus to me in a new way. God used ROM to reopen my eyes to see that He desires to use me to serve my people in Bosnia. I was reassured that I can be a good example of Jesus’ character to my nation; as well as to be His instrument for reconciliation and peace building between the peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina.”
It was while at ROM that I had a vision of a conference aimed at the political and business leaders of my country based on the character of Jesus and His values. The conference “Moral Values in Business and Politics”, which took place not long ago at a prestigious venue in Sarajevo, targeted political leaders, businessmen and other people of influence in the Bosnian capital. Our message was that Bosnia-Herzegovina needed the kind of leaders who are foremost the people of integrity and strong values. The two key speakers were Drazen Glavas, Trainer and Consultant with ETIK in Croatia; and Leo van Doesburg, External Affairs Manager with European Christian Movement from The Netherlands. The conference was a great success.
Minela Pervanovic currently serves as the ROM Core Team Member for Southeast Europe, and ROM Coordinator for Bosnia-Herzegovina.