About Conference
Values for Impact
Solidarity, Authenticity, and Prosperity
About the Conference
Values for Impact: Solidarity, Authenticity, and Prosperity will take place on September 23–24, 2026 at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) Campus in Sarajevo, delivered in a hybrid format (in-person and online). The conference brings together scholars, policymakers, regulators, and industry professionals to examine how values-based approaches can strengthen economic life, deepen trust, and generate real-world impact.
Co-organized by the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), Faculty of Business and Administration, through the Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation and Sustainability (CIFIS), and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), Values for Impact serves as a platform for rigorous academic exchange and meaningful engagement with practice. The conference focuses on how Islamic finance can contribute to resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven development, while welcoming comparative perspectives from ethical and values-based finance traditions.
Solidarity, Authenticity, and Prosperity
The 2026 theme frames a timely agenda around three interlinked priorities:
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Solidarity: advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and SME development, strengthening social finance solutions, and ensuring that financial innovation supports shared prosperity.
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Authenticity: reinforcing real-economy linkages, improving Shariah governance and transparency, and elevating integrity in standards, disclosure, and market practice.
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Prosperity: enabling sustainable growth through responsible innovation, trustworthy digital and AI-enabled financial services, and stronger institutions that support long-term value creation.
What to expect
Participants can expect research-led discussions and practical dialogue across topics such as Shariah governance and ethics, Islamic banking products and markets, Islamic social finance, entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, fintech and open banking, and responsible AI in finance. With Sarajevo as its host city, the conference also offers a unique setting for cross-cultural exchange and partnership building.
Participation is free of charge, and limited sponsorship opportunities are available to support selected authors’ attendance.
A Platform for Exchange and Collaboration
The conference will feature keynote speeches from leading figures in the field, including experts in Islamic finance, ethical banking, and sustainable development. Panel discussions, research paper presentations, and networking sessions will create a dynamic learning environment, enabling participants to engage in open dialogue and collaborative learning.
The Balkan Perspective
One of the unique features of this conference is its Bosnian perspective on ethical finance, with a particular emphasis on the role of waqf (endowments) as a vital tool for economic empowerment and social welfare. Drawing on historical lessons and current practices, the conference will highlight how Bosnia and Herzegovina can harness the potential of waqf to create lasting social impact. Comparative insights from other regions will be presented.
Why Attend?
Participants will gain:
- Exposure to the latest research and trends in ethical finance and sustainability
- Insights from thought leaders and practitioners in the field of Islamic and ethical finance
- Opportunities for academic collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing
- Practical guidance on integrating ethical principles into business and financial strategies
In an era marked by economic inequality and environmental crises, the moral political economy offers a compelling alternative grounded in shared religious values. By reimagining boundaries and fostering inclusive solidarities, this paradigm seeks to build economies that reflect the rich ethical traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Through collaboration and shared commitment to justice, equity, and compassion, the Balkans can serve as an inspiration of interfaith solidarity and human-centric economic development.
We invite scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in rich multidisciplinary discussions that reimagine socioeconomic paradigms through the lens of ethical principles, drawing inspiration from the Balkans’ legacy as a crossroads of cultural and religious diversity. Join us to contribute to building a more sustainable and equitable future.
Submit your papers and join us in shaping the discourse.
Conference Chairs:
Dr. Admir Meskovic
Dr. Hylmun Izhar
Dr. Abudumanafu Tuerhanali
Conference Academic Committee members:
Prof. Mehmet Asutay
Prof. Alija Avdukic
Prof. Sejma Aydin
Prof. Servet Bayındır
Prof. Khairul Anuar Ahmad
Prof. Latifa Bibi Musafar Hameed
Prof. Kabir Hasan
Prof. Aishath Muneeza
Prof. Edo Omercevic
Prof. Zeyneb Hafsa Orhan
Prof. Maya Puspa Rahman
Prof. Norfaizah Othman
Prof. Ibrahim Güran Yumuşak
Prof. Hengchao Zhang (Ali)
Prof. Rahmatina A. Kasri,
Prof. Tika Arundina
Prof. M. Soleh Nurzaman