This year marks the relaunch of the Lantos Congressional Fellows Program, following a two-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic. More than 100 fellows from Europe and Israel have participated in the program, and this year the Lantos Foundation has selected three outstanding young professionals as Lantos Fellows. In early September, they started their fellowships with U.S. congressional offices. Read on to learn more about the 2022 class of Lantos Fellows.
Omar Memišević
Country of origin: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Languages spoken: Bosnian, English
University degrees: BA of International Relations and Diplomacy, MA candidate of International Relations and Diplomacy from Faculty of Political Sciences, Sarajevo
Omar has extensive political experience, having worked on multiple campaigns in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2016, including as campaign manager. He has designed and implemented Get Out the Vote and awareness-raising campaigns, and he served as a political affairs and external relations trainee at the Council of Europe. He is a member of the Advanced Leadership in Politics Institute and the European Democracy Youth Network. He also hosted one of the first-ever Bosnian political podcasts, which provided analysis of day-to-day politics in the country, policy commentary and predictions, and encouraged youth participation in politics.
What are you most looking forward to during your fellowship?
I have to say it’s first and foremost an overall cultural experience living in the United States and a history-rich and diverse city like DC, but also the experience of working for one of the most dynamic institutions in politics.
Tom Lantos always believed that human rights should transcend partisan politics. Do you believe this is still possible, even in a political climate with such deep partisan divisions? If so, how do you believe we can bring people together over key human rights issues?
Absolutely! Human rights are something that should be guaranteed for everyone, regardless of race, culture or political position, and as such they need to transcend the political aisle. Whether or not it’s still possible is up to the men and women defending these rights.
What will you miss the most from your native country while you are living in America?
Probably the little things, like having coffee in the old part of Sarajevo or going out with my friends and family.
Follow Omar on Twitter @OMemisevic.