“When Peace follows War” Peace-building between state building and private initiative Erasmus Project

Project Title

“When Peace follows War” Peace-building between state building and private initiative

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Capacity Building for youth in neighbouring and enlargement countries

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

The study visit (SV) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia) brought together 25 youth workers with backgrounds in reconciliation, conflict resolution and post war reconstruction and development, from 16 European countries, to investigate the mechanisms of war and the hard work of conflict resolution once war ends. Bosnia unfortunately provides an ample example of how the 1992—1995 war has divided formerly united citizens for a long time after the violence itself has actually ended. But the country is also an illustration of the post-conflict progress that the society has achieved against all odds and managed to line up for the EU membership candidacy. Therefore, the study visit in Bosnia provided participants in the program an in-depth understanding of the factors which determined the beginning and the end of war in Bosnia, its effects on the state and its citizens, and in particular what the post-war reconstruction and development, state building and the restoration of trust, really mean and how much it all cost. The case of Bosnia is an illustration and reminder that socio-economic and cultural conflicts underlying a violent confrontation cannot be solved through warfare. On the contrary, a double effort and willingness by the post-war political elites and the civil society is required to reconstruct and heal the wounds and only afterwards to address the fundamental misunderstandings or antagonisms. Current lingering conflicts in Europe and massive warfare in Europe’s neighborhood create strong necessity to strengthen the awareness among Europeans, esp. youth, about colossal efforts and resources needed to successfully rebuild a post-conflict country as well as to come up with reasonable and credible arguments against the use of force and for conflict resolution and active peace work. To achieve the goals of the study visit, the following objectives were set:
– to show in detail what factors are in play that eventually caused the conflict and brutal destruction in Bosnia (details and backgrounds of the collapse of the former SFRY and the war in Bosnia),
– to investigate and understand the international and local efforts to bring the war to an end through subsequent peace treaties and military intervention,
– to learn thoroughly the joint national and international efforts to restore peace, to reconstruct the country, to achieve the return of refugees and displaced and to facilitate reconciliation,
– to show in detail, how much effort and resources the reconstruction and reestablishment of a civil society after war has cost,
– to provide the participants with additional legitimation for their argumentation by showing them the progress the Bosnian society has created against all odds,
– to focus on the issue of immigration and refugees, where Europe has shown extraordinary solidarity with Bosnian refugees and has after the war done everything to assure their safe return,
– to highlight the fact, that the conflict in Bosnia has also had strong repercussions on European politics,
– to create safe space where ideas and opinions are freely shared without prejudice and judgment.
After the SV an e-book was published online and shared with participants and DFDA network of partners and friends through DFDA online media channels. The e-book was also translated into presentation and shared with the public over social networks. In addition, an online gallery of participants was created, and incorporated into the presentation. Other means of dissemination tools were created including short video clips, photos, travel diaries which participants have been encouraged to use and share with their networks. The SV took place between 1 and 17 July 2016. It was headquartered in Ključ, a small town in the western Bosnia where DFDA owns an educational facility. From there 6 daily trips were made while for 4 nights the participants stayed overnight in different towns. Within 17 days, the group visited 51 locations in Bosnia and Herzegovi

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 23490 Eur

Project Coordinator

DINARA FORUM – DINARA L’ATENAU IZ KLJUCA & Country: BA

Project Partners