Living in the UK gives me incredible opportunities to work and meet people from every corner of the world. Although some disagree, this is in my opinion one of the British greatest assets and advantages; the mixture of talents, skills and ethnicities. I think that I was lucky enough to be well prepared for my life in a very multicultural British society, especially during my studies in Croatia. My stay in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, made a huge impact on my personal development. This is where, for the first time, I actually experienced living among a diverse community and encountered many people, who were displaced by the recent war. I’ve learnt the language, which also helped me to integrate better and understand the complex elements of Croatian history and heritage. It is still one of my favourite parts of Europe.

Since coming to Hertfordshire and Welwyn Garden City, almost 20 years ago, I was blessed and privileged to get to know a wonderful Bosnian community and members of the Bosnian Saturday School in Borehamwood, many of whom are my friends.

Last week, we were commemorating the anniversary of Srebrenica, a Bosnian genocide, which took place in 1995, during the war in former Yugoslavia. The UK calls it the worst atrocity on European soil since World War II with 8,000 people killed over a few days. I don’t think that we talk often enough about what has actually happened in that part of Europe. The history of violence, division and suffering is heart-breaking. The Dayton Treaty, signed in 1995, has officially ended the war, even today, almost 30 years later, the political fragility of Bosnian community and state is palpable. The Dayton Agreement’s aim was to bring peace and to create a single sovereign state known as Bosnia and Herzegovina composed of two parts, the largely Serb-populated Republika Srpska and mainly Croat-Bosniak-populated Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, even today the region lacks stability and suffers from various ethnic and political tensions.

This year’s Remembering Srebrenica message is ‘I Am Because You Are’. In my view, the theme couldn’t be more relevant. Today, as we all live in a more polarised world, it is so vital to remember that we need to stand up against people who try to divide us but more importantly, to support and stand alongside each other when we face prejudice or injustice. Our voices, commitment to building peace and dialogue must prevail, always.

* Michal Siewniak is a Lib Dem activist and councillor for Handside ward, Welwyn Hatfield.