Considering the fact that we are organizing “Students Encountering Science” Conference for the 11^th time this year, this is a perfect moment to contemplate on its legacy.

This year’s Organizing Committee believes that our main task is to set the Conference within the real limits of what is achievable and therefore keep all “promises” that are usually given in the Call for Papers. This task imposes itself as an imperative which we will use as a foundation to build trust for the future; and if we are lucky enough, retroactively as well – to redefine our relationship towards the mistakes from the past.

Since one decade of organizing StES is behind us, this could be a turning point. A lot can be said about what that turning point is exactly and what the possible directions for the future are. This year’s organizers think of this turning point as a way back to the original idea that brought this conference to life 11 years ago. If you look closely at the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will notice that there are few conferences for young researchers these days. Having this in mind, “Students Encountering Science” discusses the quality of academic space offered to young researchers in our environment. This conference is a result of a struggle for free academic space – a struggle endured by students who saw science not only as  a potential profession, but also as a force that changes our way of life, if not life itself. That is the attitude we decided to build this year’s StES on.

We are all aware of the fact that science has its use and purpose, but the big problem of our region is that the potential prizes that can be won influence everyday life more than the real implications of scientific research. That is why we decided to have a challenge this year – 3 out of 6 scientific fields have topics, which is going to initiate debate on important processes that can cause permanent consequences for our lives. We opted for current topics which cross regional borders and can be analyzed in relation to the broader European context.

I hereby welcome all students and young researchers to join us in the attempt to explore these processes of interest, so that we could articulate potential solutions and initiate their implementation together.