12th Slovenian Development Days: For a World Without Hunger
The 12th Slovenian Development Days, held from 15 to 22 October 2024, centered around the theme "For a World Without Hunger," addressing the urgent rise in global hunger driven by conflict, climate change, and economic instability. This year, as a humanitarian non-profit organization established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, ITF was proud to join as an official partner to help prepare a comprehensive program for the event, along with the SLOGA Platform, CEF, CEP, CMSR, with various NGOs, academic, and professional communities. Throughout the week, diverse awareness-raising activities showcased Slovenia's initiatives to support the most vulnerable populations, with a particular focus placed on connecting mine action with food security, where ITF, leveraging its expertise, contributed valuable insights on integrating demining efforts into broader strategies for sustainable food systems. The event served as an important platform for fostering partnerships and strengthening efforts to address the interconnected challenges of food insecurity globally.
Exhibition at the National Assembly
The Development Days commenced on October 15 with an exhibition at the Slovenian National Assembly, featuring impactful photographs from projects led by NGOs and organizations, including ITF. Among the highlights were images that presented ITF’s work with mine victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina, showcasing the transformative journey of survivors who, through beekeeping programs supported by the Republic of Korea and Slovenia, have gained new livelihoods and rebuilt their communities.
The exhibition offered a space for project participants to meet with high Slovenian political figures, including Ms. Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Ms. Urška Klakočar Zupančič, President of the National Assembly, and H.E. Edvin Skrt, Director-General of the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, to discuss the critical role of these initiatives in empowering mine survivors. This exhibition emphasized ITF’s broader vision: a future where those affected by conflict not only remain safe but thrive economically and contribute positively to their societies.
National Consultation on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid
One of the focal discussions of the Development Days was the National Consultation on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, which examined Slovenia’s goals for official development assistance. Special attention was given to integrating food security with global stability efforts, underscoring the importance of addressing hunger as both a cause and consequence of instability. Here, ITF contributed perspectives on how demining and agricultural support can lay the groundwork for food security and local resilience in post-conflict settings.
Round Table Discussion: “Assistance to Mine Victims and Beekeeping”
Later that day, ITF hosted a round table titled “Assistance to Mine Victims and Beekeeping: Sweet Results of a Successful Partnership,” focusing on how beekeeping empowers mine victims, not only by providing an additional source of income but also by fostering social inclusion and personal empowerment. Funded by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, this initiative has been transformative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where landmine survivors have found new ways to support their families while also renewing their sense of purpose.
The round table gathered experts from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia and beneficiaries of the program—former mine victims who are now skilled beekeepers. The dialogue underscored the holistic benefits of such programs, including economic self-reliance and social inclusion for those who might otherwise face lifelong stigmatization and economic barriers. Initiatives like this help survivors reintegrate into their communities, overcoming the stigma and social isolation that often follow traumatic injuries. By equipping participants with practical skills and a supportive network, ITF ensures they can rebuild their lives with confidence and purpose.
In a meaningful addition to the discussion, Ms. Beritan Hussain from ITF Syria shared insights into the “Clear then Grow” project. Since its inception in 2019, this initiative has cleared mine-contaminated agricultural land, allowing safe cultivation and providing economic stability for local families in Syria. Supported by the Austrian Development Agency, the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Knights of Columbus, this project exemplified how ITF combined demining efforts with agricultural development, prioritizing the economic and social needs of communities. By integrating mine action with food security, ITF aims to foster sustainable, long-term solutions that empower affected populations to reclaim their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
Second Slovenian Humanitarian Forum
The 12th Slovenian Development Days concluded with the Second Slovenian Humanitarian Forum, featuring an international conference on food security. Slovenia’s President and Honorary Patron of the Forum, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, opened the event, calling attention to the rising number of child victims of conflict. The high-level panel discussion, titled “The Vicious Cycle between Armed Conflicts and the Food Crisis,” brought together politicians and international figures to address the impact of conflict on humanitarian aid, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. Panelists discussed ways to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, protect critical infrastructure, and establish safe conditions for food production in conflict zones. Slovenia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Ms. Tanja Fajon, emphasized the dire situation in Gaza, stating: “In Gaza, hunger has become a tool of war. People are dying because they do not have access to humanitarian aid.”
ITF operates at the frontline of addressing the consequences of conflict, emphasizing that ending hunger and ensuring safety in conflict-affected regions requires comprehensive support from the international community. The Slovenian Development Days served as an important reminder that, together, through combined efforts in humanitarian aid, mine action and sustainable development, we can build pathways to resilience and self-sufficiency for communities around the world.
