Anniversary Celebration
2 Years of MBHEC AND
22 years of the State Partnership Program
Join us in commemorating two remarkable years of innovation, growth, and success. A journey worth celebrating.
MBHEC welcomes you to
the Anniversary Celebration
Join us on December 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at 1834 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C., as the Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC) marks two years of civic cooperation and twenty-two years of the Maryland–Bosnia and Herzegovina State Partnership Program.
This celebration will honor the shared legacy of partnership that has evolved from a defense relationship into a vibrant platform for education, culture, innovation, and community engagement. Since its founding in 2023, MBHEC has become the coordinating hub for non-military collaboration between Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina – connecting policymakers, universities, local institutions, and diaspora communities through initiatives that translate goodwill into practical cooperation.
Two Years of Achievement
Over the past two years, MBHEC has:
Linked cultural institutions
Linked cultural institutions through partnerships between the Sarajevo Film Festival and the Annapolis Film Festival, bringing together thousands of attendees across shared programming.
Advanced academic collaboration
Advanced academic collaboration by convening Maryland and Bosnian universities to explore new higher-education exchanges and joint degree opportunities.
Strengthened diaspora engagement
Strengthened diaspora engagement, supported youth leadership initiatives, and contributed to major civic events recognizing Maryland’s partnership and solidarity with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Supported forward-looking policy dialogue
Supported forward-looking policy dialogue, including the Dayton 2.0 roundtable and Building Peace Across Generations research series, linking Maryland’s academic institutions with reform networks across the Western Balkans.
Bi-Annual Report for 2024 and 2025
In 2024 and 2025, MBHEC translated its mission into tangible action, building bridges across communities, governments, and cultural institutions.
Read more about our activities and upcoming projects in the report!
Event Details
As we celebrate these milestones, this evening will also serve as a fundraising reception to help advance MBHEC’s future programming – ensuring that our initiatives in education, culture, innovation, and civic engagement continue to grow in reach and impact.
Date
December 4, 2025
Time
At 6:00 P.M.
Venue
1834 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20009
Aniversery Program
- Check-in 6:00 P.M.
- Transition to Program 6:30 P.M.
- National Anthems of the United States of America and of Bosnia and Herzegovina 6:45 P.M.
- Welcome Remarks and Keynote Addresses 6:50 P.M.
- Musical Performance of “Jutros mi je ruža procvjetala” and “Tebi majko misli lete” 7:10 P.M.
- Closing remarks and buffet opening 7:15 P.M.
- Dining and Networking 7:17 P.M.
- Reception Ends 9:30 P.M.
Dress code: Cocktail Reception
Limited seats available • Cocktail Reception
Key Speakers
Meet the visionaries who have shaped our journey and will inspire our future
Amela Sudžuka-Ćerimagić
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Washington, D.C.
LTC Zoran Jović
Assistant of Defense Attaché of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Washington, D.C., and Liaison Officer with the State of Maryland
Speaker
Michael Lore
Deputy Secretary of State, Maryland
Azra Kačapor Nurkić, PhD
CEO, Institute for Development Impact (I4DI) and Co-Founder, MBHEC
Master of Ceremony: Andrea Pozderac M.A.
Senior Program Analyst
Memorable Moments
A visual journey through our most cherished achievements and celebrations
