Values for Impact 2026: Solidarity, Authenticity and Prosperity
The International University of Sarajevo (IUS) will host the international conference “Values for Impact: Solidarity, Authenticity and Prosperity” on 23–24 September 2026, bringing together researchers and representatives of the financial sector, business and public institutions. Jointly organized by IUS and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), the conference aims to connect ethical values with practical solutions for economic and social development.
This year’s theme, solidarity, authenticity and prosperity, explores how finance can better serve society, how innovation can translate into sustainable business opportunities, and how young and talented people can be supported in building their futures in their home countries. Particular attention will be given to Islamic finance, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and responsible investment.
Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank is the conference’s Platinum Sponsor, with additional support provided by BH Telecom as a panel sponsor and the Federal Ministry of Education and Science. Their support helps bring together academia, business and public institutions to discuss the development needs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider international community.
The opening addresses will be delivered by Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS, and Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Director General of the Islamic Development Bank Institute. Among the main speakers are Prof. Dr. Mehmet Asutay, Professor of Islamic Political Economy and Finance at Durham University in the United Kingdom; Semih Sel, Chief Human Resources and Strategy Officer at Kuveyt Türk Participation Bank; and Dr. Afan Kalamujić, Minister of Finance of Sarajevo Canton.
One of the main panels will focus on the role of technoparks in retaining talent and creating conditions for its return. The discussion will feature Amel Kovačević, CEO of BH Telecom; Dr. Sarah A. Tobin of the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway; Dr. Jasmin Hasić of the Federal Ministry of Education and Science; and İdris Hocaoğlu, representing Technopark Istanbul. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Migdat Hodžić.
A second panel will explore startup financing, risk-sharing and the potential application of SAFE agreements. Alongside Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, panellists will include Dr. Natalia Jiménez Arroyo of IE University in Spain; Dr. Zlatan Mujak, Assistant Minister of Economy of Sarajevo Canton; and Dženan Šarić, Director of Operations and Development at the Mozaik Foundation. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Šejma Aydin of IUS.
The academic program features more than 50 research papers across 12 sessions, covering financial inclusion, climate risks, digital banking, waqf and zakat as instruments of Islamic social finance, trust in financial institutions, and applications of artificial intelligence. The conference will be preceded by a masterclass entitled “Islamic Finance for the 21st Century”, led by Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem on 22 September.
The conference will conclude with a forum on what Islamic finance should do differently by 2030 and how its contribution to the economy and society can be measured.
The conference’s academic partners are Ibn Haldun University and Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University in Türkiye; INCEIF University and the International Islamic University Malaysia in Malaysia; Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar; and Universitas Indonesia. The partnership brings together universities and their specialized centers.
The program and further information are available at www.valuesforimpact.com
