Centar za nenasilnu akciju
Bentbasa 31, 71000Sarajevo, BiH
Tel/Fax:+387/71/442 011
cna@bih.net.ba
cna@soros.org.ba
www.soros.org.ba/~cna
CENTAR ZA NENASILNU AKCIJU
Annual report II
September 1998 – August 1999
Centar za nenasilnu akciju – CNA is the project office of
The Center for Education and Networking in Nonviolent Action – KURVE Wustrow, inSarajevo,Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The project started in September 1997. The main objectives are
trainings in nonviolent conflict transformation, networking and advisory activities aiming to support and induce local training structures in BiH.
CNA is a registered NGO in BiH, as an external branch of KURVE Wustrow.
Table of contents
1. Summary of the report_______________________________________________ 4
2. Introduction___________________________________________________________ 4
3. MAJOR ACTIVITIES________________________________________________________ 4
3.1 1st Quarter, September – December 1998______________________________________ 4
3.1.a Training for trainers in nonviolent conflict transformation, Part 1________________________________ 5
3.1.b Follow-up meetings________________________________________________________________ 5
3.2 2nd Quarter, December 1998 – February 1999__________________________________ 5
3.2.a Second part of the Training for Trainers in nonviolent conflict transformation______________________ 5
3.2.b CNA Web page www.soros.org.ba/~cna________________________________________________ 7
3.3 3rd Quarter, March – June 1999______________________________________________ 7
3.3.a Training for Trainers_________________________________________________________________ 7
3.3.b SHL Media Conference Seminar 18.3.99_________________________________________________ 8
3.3.c NGO meeting in Sarajevo about the war in Yugoslavia 1st April 1999_____________________________ 8
3.3.d Yugoslavia/Kosovo Homepage_______________________________________________________ 9
3.3.e Nenasilje (Nonviolence) mailing list______________________________________________________ 9
3.3.f Exploratory trips & follow-up meetings in: Gorazde, Banja Luka, Travnik and Jajce___________________ 9
3.3.g Articles by CNA (members) related to war, peace building and peace work______________________ 10
3.4 4th Quarter, June – August 1999____________________________________________ 10
3.4.a Speaking tour, Germany, 17.6. – 10.7.99___________________________________________________ 10
3.4.b SHL summer camp – Conflict? Nonviolence? Tata, Hungary – 29.07 – 09.08.99____________________ 10
3.4.c SHL seminar – ‘Religion, Politics and Me?’ 22. 8. 99__________________________________________ 11
3.4.d Seminar on Evaluation in Travnik, 03.09. – 05.09.99________________________________________ 11
3.4.e AMI – Alternativna mirovna inicijativa (alternative peace – initiative)____________________________ 11
3.4.f Orientation seminar for AMI (alternative peace – initiative) in Croatia 29.06. – 03.07.99________________ 12
3.4.g Introduction to Nonviolence – Workshop Sipovo, BiH, 29.08. – 02.09.99________________________ 12
3.4.h Seminar on Conscientious Objection in Sarajevo, 23.07.99__________________________________ 12
3.4.i A story of everyday life – Jasmin Redzepovic______________________________________________ 13
3.4.j Abraham – Workshop Zavidovici 14.08.99________________________________________________ 13
3.4.k Trainers seminar, Sarajevo, 7.9.99.____________________________________________________ 13
3.4.l Evaluation – Schueler Helfen Leben (SHL) 8.9.99.___________________________________________ 14
4. COOPERATION REQUESTS & PERSPECTIVES_______________________________ 14
4.1 Macedonia______________________________________________________________ 14
4.2 Belgrade – FR Yugoslavia__________________________________________________ 14
4.3 Croatia_________________________________________________________________ 15
5. STRATEGY and TRANSFER_______________________________________________ 15
6. Evaluation of the Work and the Strategy________________________ 16
7. DIFFICULTIES AND LEARNING POINTS__________________________________ 16
7.1 Macedonia______________________________________________________________ 16
7.2 Delays and Cancellations__________________________________________________ 17
7.3 Region-Wide Trainers Meeting_____________________________________________ 17
7.4 Training for Trainers group________________________________________________ 17
7.5 Development of the pilot project “The role of police in civil society”_______________ 17
8. Political Dimension of CNA Work___________________________________ 18
9. Nonviolence and Human Rights Violations________________________ 19
10. Report of the Project Co-ordinator Franziska Guenther_______ 20
11. Personal Opinions___________________________________________________ 22
11.1 Words from the newest CNA member – Ivana Franovic__________________________ 22
11.2 Words of IPPNW student Marc Burlon_______________________________________ 23
12. Work Plan_____________________________________________________________ 24
Special thanks____________________________________________________________ 25
1. Summary of the report
In the period September to December 1998 (first quarter) the first part of the Training for Trainers programme was implemented, and followed in the coming months by follow-up meetings between the participants and the various facilitators of the training. The second quarter, December ’98 to February ’99 saw the implementation of the second part of Training for Trainers. Also realised in this time period was the CNA webpage.
The third quarter, March – June ’99 was the period of the war in Yugoslavia. This effected our work greatly and we needed to postpone particular projects and take on board other unplanned ones. The third part of Training for Trainers was postponed, but alternative projects such as the Non-violence mailing list and the NGO meeting in Sarajevo took up our energies instead. We also spent time on exploratory trips and follow-up meetings during this period. The fourth quarter, June – August ’99 saw, among other things, some of CNA doing a speaking tour in Germany. A new person joined CNA; we facilitated a summercamp with SHL on Conflict? Nonviolence? And we were working with the Alternative Peace Initiative.
We are co-operating with groups from Macedonia, BiH, Yugoslavia, Croatia, and Germany, and this co-operation has been established in line with our strategy. The transfer of CNA to local staff is on schedule within this strategy. But of course the past year has offered quite a few difficulties and learning points. Personal opinions of people involved with the project, from Germany to BiH, are a strong influence on the job we do; the report of the project co-ordinator, among others, illustrates this. The political dimension of the work, and our opinion on nonviolence and human rights violations are a very fundamental part of our approach to the work of CNA. With all of these issues taken into consideration we have developed the workplan for 1999 – 2000.
2. Introduction
The second year of CNA is behind us now and the project has gone through major developments during this time. The main one was that new CNA staff have joined the team in the previous 12 months. Jasmin Redzepovic from Sarajevo joined the project in November 1998, Cara Gibney from Belfastin December 1998 and Ivana Franovic from Belgrade in August 1999. The capacity enlargement has accordingly expanded our work plan and multiplied our activities. But besides the quantity, the mixture of our backgrounds, skills and characters has also established a new quality in CNA work. CNA is still facing ever more requests for co-operation in various projects, varying from advisory in training, evaluation and organisational matters of training work, up to requests for speaking tours and article writing.
After a financial crisis last year, we are confident that we can finance our work future, not least due to previous achievements we have reached.
3. MAJOR ACTIVITIES
3.1 1st Quarter, September – December 1998
(Excerpts from the 3 month reports)
Remark: The following excerpts contain brief information about the trainings conducted by CNA. Detailed reports are available on request, as notified.
3.1.a Training for trainers in nonviolent conflict transformation, Part 1
Jablanica, 16-25th October, CNA/SHL (Schueler Helfen Leben) co-operation
The training programme “Training for Trainers” has gathered participants who have attended basic training in nonviolence, either through CNA or in non-CNA events. The goal of the programme was to enable participants to conduct workshops as co-trainers and to create and lead workshops themselves.
The first training in a row of three planned seminars, was held in Jablanica from 16-25th October. As well as two participants from Pristine and three from Belgrade, the rest came from both entities of Bosnia Herzegovina. Nobody from the Croat areas came. As well as N.V. (CNA), the training team consisted of Otto Raffai (Centre for Peace Studies -Zagreb,Croatia) and Ivana Franovic (Antiwar Campaign & Student Union, Belgrade/Serbia).
The participants were highly motivated, so the work was extremely exhausting, with sessions sometimes lasting until midnight. The training focussed on deepening the very different skills and experiences that participants had already, and prepared them for the continuation of the programme. The initial dissatisfaction of some participants with the training concept diminished in the course of the training and resulted in very positive opinions by the end of it. The training team was also very satisfied with the work. A detailed 49-page report about the training in Jablanica, containing minutes of the sessions and an evaluation, is available in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language through CNA.
3.1.b Follow-up meetings
Seven small teams of participants were set up during the training in Jablanica. These teams chose themes for which they were to prepare workshop sessions, and then conduct these sessions in the next training to be held in January. The participants from Belgrade and Pristine had two mixed teams, much to the joy of the trainers. The teams had follow-up meetings with the trainers, the goal of which was to support the preparation for the workshops to be conducted in the next training. These meetings were very fruitful and very intense. They focussed on actual workshop structuring, and a written workshop-structuring concept was forwarded to all participants in advance. Two of the meetings were in Banja Luka, one in Sarajevo, one in Zagreb and one in Baja/Hungary (the trainers could not travel to Serbia, and participants could not travel to Croatia, because of visa barriers)
3.2 2nd Quarter, December 1998 – February 1999
(Excerpts from the 3 month reports)
3.2.a Second part of the Training for Trainers in nonviolent conflict transformation
Teslic, January 11 – 20 1999, CNA / SHL (Schueler Helfen Leben) co-operation
Out of 16 participants in the first training event, only 9 could join us in the second one which took place in the town of Teslic in Republika Srpska (the Serb controlled Bosnian entity). Two new female participants joined us, one from Belgrade and one from Gorazde. Apart from two people who did not excuse their absence, all of the others had good reason for not attending (one was drafted into the military, and two could not travel from Kosovo because of police blockades etc). Ana Raffai (Centre for Peace Studies -Zagreb,Croatia) joined the trainer team as a fourth member.
The participants chose the themes of the workshops themselves during the first training. They were selected from a variety of themes offered by the training team and requested by participants. The final programme contained the following workshops
– Introduction
– Team work
– Leadership*
– Team work under conditions of stress and fear
– Dealing with fear*
– Communication analysis*
– Gender*
– Prejudices,
– National identity*
– Workshop preparation
– Trainer role
– Difficulties in training work
– Motivation
– Feedback
– Evaluation.
– *Workshops conducted by participants with trainer supervision
The workshops conducted by the participants were highly creative. One regular flaw was that due to lack of facilitation experience, the participants in their trainer role often forgot to mind the time. This meant that the workshops lasted much longer than planned, and this put a higher demand on everyone’s energy levels. On the second night the long role-play took place. It lasted from 10PM until 6AM with 2 hours of emotional evaluation afterwards. The role play was created to test team work ability under stressful conditions, and how participants dealt with varying types of authority (police customs etc) who were given the role of being intimidating, offensive and aggressive. The simulated role play trip took the participants on a one day exploratory journey to an „Independent state of Montenegro” where they had to research the possibilities of co-operation with local groups in nonviolence training, and in an attempt to try and convince them to approve such events.
The role-play highlighted the typical roles that each participant takes within a group. The evaluation showed that this was an opportunity for them to think about the roles they took, and how they dealt with teamwork from these roles, during a stressful situation.
The highest emotions came up during the workshop on gender. In this the participants were divided into groups of females and males. Each group had to brainstorm on the theme ´How are women/men? ´ The results of the brainstorm were written on a poster and displayed on the wall. Emotions boiled at one point when the male group created a statue that presented a woman who, while dancing with a man, was flirting with another one behind his back. One woman perceived the statue as very offensive and discriminatory. Some men argued back that they had „presented the dark side of woman”, and an emotional and heated debate took place. Mutual prejudices and perceptions came out and caused pain on both sides. Because of such a heated situation the workshop was continued after dinner and lasted until 11PM. An interesting point is that although it would be assumed that the theme of national identity would cause at least the same level of controversy, it did not. It seems that the question of national identity is much more present in daily life, and awareness of it is much higher than of gender issues. For many people this was their first confrontation with it.
In the final evaluation the question was asked „How did the training affect your standpoints?” Some answers were:
– It helped me to break some of my prejudices
– I will re-question some of my standpoints
– It widened my views
– I realised that prejudices can sometimes have a positive side
– It formed some of my views and made me see myself from another angle. If nothing else, it improved my perception.
3.2.b CNA Web page www.soros.org.ba/~cna
In December CNA and SHL applied jointly for a grant to produce separate home pages to make information about our activities and those of our partners more accessible. Contents of the CNA home page include:
Three-month reports on activities of CNA in English, German and local language.
Information on future activities and online applications for interested individuals.
Documentation of previous seminars and training in nonviolent conflict transformation (NVCT) in local language, including detailed method descriptions and minutes of the seminars.
Information about co-operation partners in BiH and the wider region of former Yugoslavia, including their planned activities and application forms for them.
Information about available trainings in nonviolent conflict transformation in Europe
Links to other organisations dealing with nonviolence, peace building and youth work
3.3 3rd Quarter, March – June 1999
(Excerpts from the 3 month reports)
The bombing of Yugoslavia by NATO started on 24th March 1999. This violence and the expulsion and killing of huge numbers of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by the Yugoslav security forces and paramilitaries, occupied us most throughout the following 3-month period. Most of our regular and planned activities were postponed and we dedicated our time to anti-war activities. This included establishing communication between people from various countries and regions of the Balkans, (communication that was stopped because of the war). We travelled through Bosnia and spoke to people, we opened up an extra homepage about Yugoslavia/Kosovo, we started the “nonviolence” mailing list, we wrote articles about the situation in the region and pursued political analysis, we spent hours discussing all these issues among ourselves in the office and with others who came to the office, we spent hours watching, listening and reading news, we initiated NGO meetings in Sarajevo about the war, and we did a speaking tour in Germany.
3.3.a Training for Trainers
It was necessary to postpone the final stages of the Training for Trainers programme. Follow-up meetings that were due to take place in March and April had already been deferred for various reasons. The outbreak of the war in Yugoslavia ensured that many of these meetings were postponed for the foreseeable future.
The final official gathering of the participants for Training for Trainers event was due to take place on May 1st 1999. After contacting the participants to ask their opinion we decided also to call off this event. The impossibility of men from Yugoslavia being able to cross the border to BiH, and the growing difficulties for the women, would have left the training weekend without a very vital section of our participants. But CNA is very aware of the need to continue the momentum that the Training for Trainers has started, and we worked with the intention that these events were eventually to take place.
The skills and potential of the people from the Training for Trainers group are growing, and we want to use them, as well as create the space for them to gain greater experience and skills. We are actively recruiting members of the group into training events that we are implementing, and passing on requests for jobs to the group from other organisations. As the CNA workplan fills up for the year we see the need for a more concrete form of passing on these requests and recruitment, and in the meantime we are in contact with all the people involved, through e-mail, telephone, and where possible by visiting.
3.3.b SHL Media Conference Seminar 18.3.99
Schueler Helfen Leben invited CNA to facilitate a one-day training that was part of a weeklong seminar they were conducting. The seminar revolved around the theme of journalism, with participants from Germany and BiH. CNA’s job was to introduce them to each other and to approach assets of communication that would be relevant to the theme.
Within the structure of the day we developed a highly competitive and discriminatory version of musical chairs to highlight discrimination and prejudice awareness. During the workshop the facilitators were overtly discriminatory, the game became quite heated, and the evaluation of the game brought out feelings varying from:
– I felt sick watching all the people pushing each other out of the way.
– I was confused why you discriminated against the other team, but I did not mind.
– You as an outsider were playing the music, and you were making up the rules, just like conflicts throughout the world such as Vietnam.
– It was only a game.
– I didn’t notice.
3.3.c NGO meeting inSarajevoabout the war inYugoslavia1st April 1999
After NATO attacks on FRY started on 24.3.99, CNA in co-operation with Quaker Peace and Service and Abraham initiated an NGO meeting to give people the space to speak of how they felt about the violence in their neighbouring country. It was also important for CNA to learn how the NGOs were reacting to the escalation of violence in FRY. To see if there was any common ground. Altogether 15 people came to the meeting, some as individuals, some representing NGOs. A number of local NGOs who have offices in the same building that the meeting took place, did not attend because the meeting was scheduled at 5 PM, after regular working hours
We discussed the ongoing activities of NGOs in regard to the situation and possible further steps. A draft version of Appeal for Peace in Kosovo/Yugoslavia written by Nenad and Cara (CNA) was handed out for discussion. For the majority present, the CNA paper’s condemnation of the violence was not possible. There was a feeling that NATO’s violence was justified. Solidarity with the suffering of the Kosovo Albanians was very emotionally expressed. The only form of constructive action would be humanitarian aid. Milosevic’s regime was the main player; NATO and the UCK were reacting in order to protect human rights and the innocent. Quotes to illustrate this are:
– We need the bombing because negotiations have never worked with Milosevic
– Yugoslavia to me is like Germany; it is a foreign country
– The most important thing is concrete help for the people of Kosovo and Sandzak. Like bread and milk for the women and children.
– I feel that I can help by greeting refugees at the bus station and offering them food or something to drink.
As a reaction to this widespread opinion, a question came from one of the people: How long shall we run after things and try to extinguish fires? Would it not make sense to try and prevent fires being started? The vision of non-violence as a practical alternative was not seen as a feasible response to deal with what was seen as the main problem – dealing with the situation of the refugees.
Since that original meeting, two more have been organised attended by much fewer people than the first one. The focus of these meetings shifted from nonviolent action to humanitarian aid, opposite to CNA’s understanding of necessary action. Their conclusion was that the NGOs that were present should inform each other about actions in support of refugees fromYugoslavia and possibly do these actions together. One poster, appealing for solidarity with refugees was produced and posted throughout Sarajevo, as a joint NGO action. The people who put up the posters were stopped by the police for addressing the public without permission, but managed to get away without being arrested.
The meeting has left CNA with much to think about. A very concrete outcome for us was that we were given a picture of how local NGOs felt about the violence inYugoslavia.
3.3.d Yugoslavia/Kosovo Homepage
CNA Website www.soros.org.ba/~cna
The CNA website has been running for around 7 months. A further section has been added which is responding directly to the war in Yugoslavia/Kosovo and is made up of reports, statements and articles connected to the conflict. We are noticing that the site is being linked on a growing number of other websites. These other sites vary from Women leaders online – Women organising for change (boasting of female members of the US congress as prime figures in the group!) to Balkan Black Box Berlin – a festival of independent experimental art from central South East Europe.
Feedback about the webpage is more than welcome. It takes up quite a lot of work, and this work should be as accessible to as many people as possible. If we can or need to improve particular aspects of the site we need you to let us know.
3.3.e Nenasilje (Nonviolence) mailing list
Again in response to the war in Yugoslavia CNA has set up an interactive discussion group called NENASILJE (nonviolence). The idea for this came from the many discussions, questions and differences of opinion within the CNA office about the war. We decided to use these issues to create a space for discussion for these and other matters related to the war.
The discussion group is made up of around 20 people. Most of the group consists of individuals connected to the Training for Trainers, but also involves others simply interested in the theme. The discussion is in local language and participants come from Croatia, Serbia, both BiH entities, and a small number of countries outside former Yugoslavia.
3.3.f Exploratory trips & follow-up meetings in: Gorazde,Banja Luka, Travnik and Jajce
The whole CNA team paid visits to the above-mentioned towns to meet with our colleagues, some of them participants of our Training for Trainers programme. The main issue discussed was the war inYugoslavia, people’s views on it and ways of reacting to it. We spoke of the negative impact the war has had on cross-community work, the contact across the internal borderlines in BiH, and on the present situation of minority groups within these borders. We discussed possibilities of organising meetings for people from both BiH entities on this theme, but the response was rather shy, since most people felt that in that particular time it would be too touchy to deal with.
3.3.g Articles by CNA (members) related to war, peace building and peace work
(Available on our homepage or at request from CNA’s office)
NATO attacks on FR Yugoslavia
Appeal for Peace – by CNA
Open letter to a German Green MP A. Beer, in German
Peace agreement on Kosovo!? – Summoning results after cease fire agreement
Nonviolent conflict management is no alternative to military action (Gewaltfreie Konfliktbearbeitung ist keine Alternative zum militärischen Handeln) in German
3.4 4th Quarter, June – August 1999
3.4.a Speaking tour,Germany, 17.6. – 10.7.99
Two members of the CNA team went on a speaking tour inNorthern Germany, which was organised by KURVE and other organisations interested. In Hamburgwe spoke in front of more than 100 people, about 30 people came to the public meetings in Goettingen and Wustrow. We also spoke at the gathering of the Green Party activists and officials in Hanover, which was altogether about 70 people. In Berlin we accepted an invitation to the East-Berlin civil rights grassroots group meeting, we visited Berghof Institute for creative conflict management, the office of IPPNW Germany, Heinrich Boell Foundation, Berlin Information Centre for Transatlantic Security and spoke to a friend engaged with developing Peace Service sector within the DED (German Development Service).
At the public meetings we spoke of our view of the war in Yugoslavia, the effects it has on the whole region, perspectives for democratic development in Yugoslavia and the wider Balkan region, the role of NATO, human rights and civil society in the Balkans and in the Western world. It was a precious experience getting the chance to articulate our voice, as people who must actually deal with all the consequences of the war. It is also important to secure better information flow and opinion exchange between those in the West and us in the region. Different perspectives are valuable and enriching our view.
3.4.b SHL summer camp – Conflict? Nonviolence? Tata,Hungary- 29.07 – 09.08.99
SHL Sarajevo asked CNA to implement a Summercamp on the theme of nonviolence and conflict. It was aptly named ‘conflict? Nonviolence?’ The target group of the camp was young people (age 16 – 26) from Germany and the region of ex-Yugoslavia. There were 19 participants, 4 of them from Germany, two fromYugoslavia and 13 fromBosnia and Herzegovina. There were 10 women and 9 men.
The camp proved to be quite far from what the training team expected and had planned for. The working language was English because of the mix of participants from Germany and former Yugoslavia. It soon became apparent that up to 25% of participants could not follow the workshops, and a larger percentage needed translation from time to time. The training team then became aware of differences in expectations between the participants and themselves. CNA’s expectations were that the participants had joined the camp to work through the theme. SHL had requested 6 hours a day of lighter work. We therefore developed a training package that was aimed at being a basic, softer introduction to nonviolence.
It became clear however that 6 hours a day of the work that we were doing was difficult for the group. Much energy was used up in social aspects of the camp (and heavily supported by the resident organisers), motivation to attend workshops varied, discussion was short and often considered boring or too long, there was hesitation from some to deal with the issues raised (e.g. difference, leadership, prejudice). We were requested not to talk about the war by some participants. When CNA asked the resident organisers why people who do not want to discuss the war would apply for a camp of this title, we were informed that they applied because they wanted ‘to go to Hungary and meet people’.
After discussion and consultation with the participants we decided to cut and lighten the training programme as much as possible. This resulted in at least one third being removed, and all the extra work it takes to restructure a training programme to that extent during an actual training event. But although the camp was difficult in many ways, there were of course a number of learning points. For example, checking language levels of participants who will attend a foreign language training event, and if the training is not organised by CNA, establishing the role of resident organisers, being more involved with the selection of participants and the promotion of the training itself. Another positive aspect is that the camp raised some questions for the training team on our levels of flexibility in situations such as this. Asking these questions clarified even more for us the role of CNA (as trainers, not an organisation that considers their role finished when a group begins to bond), the target group of CNA (volunteers), and the necessity for CNA to continue.
3.4.c SHL seminar – ‘Religion, Politics and Me?’ 22. 8. 99
SHL invited CNA to conduct a half-day workshop on the theme of ‘responsibility’, in order to steer participants of this seminar to think about what, if anything, they have a responsibility to do on issues related to the theme. The CNA facilitator who was present experienced problems similar to those explained in the above SHL seminar. Because of this, CNA decided to turn the Hungary Summercamp evaluation meeting into a meeting that also evaluates the co-operation of CNA and SHL. Please read the below section ‘Co-operation’ for further details.
3.4.d Seminar on Evaluation in Travnik, 03.09. – 05.09.99
A member of CNA participated in a three-day workshop on evaluation that was organised by Quaker Peace and Service (QPS)Sarajevo. The workshop concentrated on the different methods and ways of evaluating projects and organisations. The participants from different NGOs came from various parts of former Yugoslavia. Some of them had also attended the last QPS-Seminar on fundraising, so a better possibility of networking and exchange was given. The trainer-team was from Croatia and FR Yugoslavia. The work of the facilitators and the group were very constructive and a good working atmosphere developed. CNA learnt new methods of evaluation that will help us in the future.
3.4.e AMI – Alternativna mirovna inicijativa (alternative peace – initiative)
Originally called `Peace Workshop’, AMI has been in existence since May 1999. The group of 25-30 people meets once a week, coming mainly from Sarajevo, but also from Banja Luka and other towns in BiH. The idea behind AMI is to found an organisation consisting of three parts:
1. Centre for Peace Studies
2. Centre for Peace Research
3. Centre for Peace Action
Mostly young people attend the meetings, but there are also two older (male) professors of theology and philosophy heavily involved with the initiative. CNA has been involved since the beginning stages, and has participated in several activities such as an orientation seminar for potential members, and implementation of a workshop on nonviolence (More about these events can be read below).
After much discussion however, CNA has decided that we do not presently see a role for our organisation within the structures and work policies of AMI. We have therefore decided to step back from the initiative for the ongoing future, but with the intention of being open for future co-operation.
3.4.f Orientation seminar for AMI (alternative peace – initiative) inCroatia29.06. – 03.07.99
During the foundation of the initiative board of AMI, CMS Zagreb (Centre for Peace Studies) gave support through sending materials and information about organising seminars and other educational events. CMS is a part of The Antiwar Campaign in Croatia, based in Zagreb. AMI likes to work with CMS because their approach to work is interactive, participative and educational. AMI asked CMS to hold a seminar where the members of AMI could check their roles and goals.
The seminar was organised in Porec where one member of the CNA team participated. There were around 15 participants. The seminar concentrated on the questions of how the participants perceive the work of each part of AMI, and where does each of them see her/his place. We worked in small groups and did role-plays, and in the end we developed a time schedule for the next 6 months, which includes all three future centres. The group of people who would like to work in future Centres for Peace Studies will concentrate on forming the team to work in the centres, on the acquisition of literature, on the preparation of basic training in nonviolent conflict transformation; and one round table on the theme of e.g. refugee return. The Centre for Peace Research will develop questionnaires to be used for polls and interviews in the region of BiH on different themes, the results of which will be published in a book. The Centre for Peace Action will work on preparing and conducting street theatre in a number of towns in BiH.
3.4.g Introduction to Nonviolence – Workshop Sipovo, BiH, 29.08. – 02.09.99
The Sixth Summer School of Democracy and Social Justice gathered together people with different profiles from Serbia,Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The school aims at exchanging information and experience through working on themes within the area of human rights and democracy. It also offers organisations and individuals the opportunity to network and plan joint activities. The school was therefore an opportunity for members of AMI to meet other groups from the region. They could exchange their experiences, opinions, and information about actual issues, and they could discuss difficulties and ways to deal with them. They could also promote AMI and try to find a wider group of organisations/individuals who would be interested in joining.
CNA was asked by AMI to facilitate a two and a half day workshop on ‘introduction to Nonviolence’ at the Summer School where there were actually several workshops running at the same time. The participants of the workshops were from Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (from both entities). Half of them were members of AMI, and the others from different NGOs. Two participants from the CNA Training for Trainers programme were included in the training team.
The fact that the event took place in Sipovo was of special importance, as almost no events such as this have taken place here before. Sipovo is a small town in Republic Srpska, presently with several thousand inhabitants. The town is located in the Southwest of BiH in a part that is not well connected (physically and politically) with other parts of Republic Srpska or with Federation of BiH. The infrastructure is virtually destroyed, and what actually functions is in bad condition. The economy is ruined, and the number of people employed is very small. It should also be added that the town and its wider area are also destroyed, and because of all of these points the problem of returning displaced persons and refugees is huge. However pre-war inhabitants (where Serbs were in the majority and Bosniaks and Croats in the minority) co-operate on the issue of return and life in the future, and are trying to solve the problems together.
3.4.h Seminar on Conscientious Objection inSarajevo, 23.07.99
The organisation Women for Women, with the support of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) for Bosnia and Herzegovina, organised a seminar on the theme of Conscientious Objection and Civil Service in BiH. The participants were from NGOs, varying human rights groups, women’s groups, youth organisations, and some journalists from both entities ofBiH,Croatiaand FRYugoslavia.
Participants at the seminar looked through the law of BiH and FR Yugoslavia and also the international standards of the Council of Europe. This gave a lot of information to those present. With all this information we discussed and made some proposals for the future. This included writing a short text on the laws on conscientious objection, and keeping each other informed about NGO and GO conferences on the subject. NGOs from both entities want to be part of this process, with the support of the OHR. One of the conditions for BiH to be a member of the Council of Europe is the acceptance of international law on conscientious objection. The OHR is trying to support the governments of both BiH entities to reach these standards.
Presently in the federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska there already exists the possibility to do an alternative military service. This civil service offers jobs such as doing agricultural work. Because the 2 entities have different armies, the civil service will serve only the community within one specific entity.
3.4.i A story of everyday life – Jasmin Redzepovic
Shortly after this seminar I visited the Ministry of Defence to ask about the rights and duties of one of my relatives. He is 18 years old and has already been recruited for the army. After I had studied the law of the Federation of BiH, it was clear to me that my cousin was unaware of it, but I wanted to see what the Ministry would tell me. When I arrived in the Ministry a friendly man invited me into his office and we had a conversation which gave both of us a lot of information. He could not explain to me the exact situation about the rights of my cousin; all he knew was that it was too late by now for him to consider conscientious objection because you have to apply for this within the first three months after you receive your call to register for recruitment, at the age of 16. Of course my cousin did not have this information, which is the same as all the others drafted into the army.
The amazing thing was that after I showed this man in the Ministry of Defence the copy of the law, he asked me if he could keep it because he had not seen it before. So I copied it for him. This showed me how little is known about conscientious objection, even from persons who should know. I hope for the future that we in NGOs can have an impact, to ensure that this will not happen again.
3.4.j Abraham – Workshop Zavidovici 14.08.99
Abraham – Inter-religious Community for Peace,Sarajevo- organised a workshop on the theme of ‘Inter-religious Dialogue’, in which CNA had an advisory position, and also took part in the preparation and implementation of the workshop. The workshop participants came from different religious communities and from a number of NGOs around Zavidovici. Not all the invited official community representatives showed up, indeed only the representatives of the Islamic community attended, but they left after the introduction. However for the workshop organisers it was important to see once again that the ordinary people, in this case mostly young people, are interested in solving their problems together. We feel that perhaps we need to give more time to the religious institutions to become more involved with work such as this.
3.4.k Trainers seminar,Sarajevo, 7.9.99.
A one day workshop event with trainers from the region was organised by CNA, Care International and United Nations Volunteers (UNV). The goal of the seminar was introducing trainers who deal with nonviolence, conflict transformation, or conflict resolution to each other’s work. Discussing different methodologies and difficulties in the work; exchanging experience and views; mutual empowerment and support, and discussing if there is a need to establish a trainers network among interested parties
UNV contacted various groups and organisations to pass on information about the seminar. Trainers were asked if they would like to prepare and hold a workshop on a theme that they are interested in, which would help to illustrate their style of work. Three sessions were finally organised for the day, and they were announced in advance to the participants. On the day only those three blocks, plus the introduction and evaluation took place. One block was held on the theme of developing training standards, prepared by a team from USAID Democracy Network; one was held by an international trainer who used to work in Care International on the features of a trainer, and another by the CNA team on the role of a trainer.
It was planned to hold the seminar in local (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) language. As well as two local trainers there were also a few international trainers and few managers at the seminar. Most of the people spoke English language, so they helped in translation if a workshop was held in English, or if there was a discussion in English. In discussion about further steps it was put across that if there is any need for further meetings, they should not be organised by the same groups who set up this meeting. A number of participants mildly agreed to take on responsibility to organise any further events.
3.4.l Evaluation – Schueler Helfen Leben (SHL) 8.9.99.
CNA and SHL held a meeting to evaluate co-operation between the 2 organisations. This was an important meeting for a number of reasons. Firstly SHL was going through a stage of turnover in which all ‘old’ volunteers were returning to Germany, so an evaluation of past co-operation was on schedule. Secondly the new SHL volunteers were taking over, and it was important to introduce CNA and our manner of working to the new SHL members. The third reason for the evaluation was the recent problems and issues that had arisen in projects that CNA had done in co-operation with SHL (see previous section entitled ‘4th Quarter’).
In the meeting we discussed the work and policies of SHL and CNA, introducing each other’s roles and areas of work. This was followed by an evaluation of how each organisation has viewed working with the other. CNA told of our problems with the Conflict? Nonviolence? summercamp, and of varying issues that had in our opinion made co-operation difficult at times. SHL also evaluated our co-operation with them and pointed out various aspects of our working style that could do with improvement. One of these points was that we put across such high expectations, that SHL felt as though they could not reach them. But the feedback was not all-critical, and the main point was that we both value each other’s work and see great value in continuing our contact. This meeting was particularly important for the new SHL members, who despite the nature of it, commented that they had felt more comfortable at this meeting than they had at others they had attended.
4. COOPERATION REQUESTS & PERSPECTIVES
4.1 Macedonia
Embassy for Peace from Skopje.
The joint organisation of two trainings inOhrid,Macedoniathis autumn may be a door to further development of co-operation in Macedonia. Any higher engagement would require deeper analysis of the situation there and exploration of the activities in the field of civil society building. CNA does have interest in furthering co-operation withMacedoniaand it’s neighbouring countries as part of our general regional strategy.
4.2 Belgrade- FR Yugoslavia
We have intense contact with three participants of our Training for Trainers group inBelgrade. In August ’99 we organised a three day meeting with those people and the whole of the present CNA staff, as well as a future CNA member. There is a very clear desire to do CNA type work from these people inSerbia, and there is also a clear desire to strengthen and continue the co-operation and exchange between Sarajevo and Belgrade. It was decided that CNA Sarajevo would strongly support the initiative and activities of this group inBelgrade, while they conduct a situation analysis of the needs and possibilities of work on the country. Regional co-operation is an important aspect of this work, and it starts from the beginning by including people who are not from Belgrade in a Belgrade team.
4.3 Croatia
The main co-operation with people and groups from Croatia has so far been implemented only in the form of a joint training team in the Training for Trainers, where two trainers from Zagreb’s Centre for Peace Studies were present. After the last training we considered the possibilities of future co-operation, and expressed a wish to co-operate again in the same way in the next programme of Training for Trainers. However since then contacts with Croatia have been widened with the probable inclusion of an activist fromSplitas a guest trainer at the seminars in Macedonia, and with a number of Croatians participating in the seminars. We intend to continue strengthening contact with Croatia, and according to capacities, would also like to further future co-operation with organisations outside Zagreb.
5. STRATEGY and TRANSFER
During the strategy setting of CNA a year ago, we outlined the need to implement two basic trainings a year and one full Training for Trainers package. In this coming year (1999 – 2000) the most prominent events in the planning stage for next year are the implementation of 4 basic trainings, one Training for Trainers package, and one major Networking meeting. For more detail please see section entitled ‘workplan’
These events make up the core of our work and reflect our priorities. As we consider it important that in the long-term future there should also be trainings for special target groups (e.g. police, media, teachers) we find it important to work on developing pilot projects in these areas which actually shape the training according to the special needs of the target group. Responding to requests of local organisations for short trainings fits with our aim of including less experienced new trainers into a team and giving them a chance to gain new experiences and skills through practice and preparation of training.
A key element of CNA strategy is the establishment of a network of trainers in the region, ready and able to pass on their skills and contacts. We are confident that by the end of the next project year in August 2000, there will be a group of trainers in BiH andYugoslavia, able to continue on the training work. Our concern and herewith a further focus for the coming period is passing on all necessary skills and knowledge about organisational issues connected with the work. We also expect and hope to find 1-2 additional persons who would be willing and capable to work in CNA in the approach and spirit we have established so far.
The transfer of CNA work onto local staff with long term commitment and prospective is one of the most important declared goals of CNA. We have found a new team member, a participant of our Training for Trainers who wishes to join CNA for the long term to run the organisation after it is localised. Adnan Hasanbegovic will join the CNA team in autumn this year as soon the finances allow us to employ him. We are further searching for at least one more person who would be willing to join and who would be motivated to continue with the work of CNA. One member is almost definitely leaving at the beginning of next year, it is yet to be established whether there will be a genuine need for the present international member of staff, and another will be concentrating his efforts for much of next year on writing a trainers manual. Also we hope to be able to employ a further local person in spring of next year, having 6 months for the actual transfer. One difficulty that we encounter is the uncertainty of people about the future of this work, as international funders increasingly lose interest in BiH and economic problems still remain a burning issue in the country. This makes it difficult for individuals to commit on long-term, but at the same time indicates the motivation of those who wish to commit to the work despite the difficulties and uncertainties.
6. Evaluation of the Work and the Strategy
One main part of our work in the past twelve months has been the Programme “Training for Trainers”. We did not manage to finish the programme on time, due to the war inYugoslavia. The last seminar in the group of three has been postponed until early next year. Therefore we have not been able to evaluate the programme properly in the manner which was planned for the postponed May seminar. We encountered mainly organisational problems in the implementation, for example the inability of some participants to attend due to the political situation, or personal problems of some individuals (illness, etc). Although they were delayed, all follow-up meetings have been held and they have proved to be a very important part of the programme. Our goal to initiate and support ideas and good will to engage in training work has been achieved. Half of the participant group has been involved already in the training team of various projects, a development into which we will put effort to continue. So we may claim to have achieved our main goal of multiplication by transferring responsibilities and skills to other people, even outside the CNA team. However we do not want to paint too positive a picture of this. There are ongoing issues around the training group, which are described in the section ‘Difficulties and Learning Points’.
The goal of networking between groups and individuals active and interested in the same field of work as CNA has been pursued through the trainings themselves and the regional coverage of participants. This proves to be a very effective way for networking as people get to know each other very intensely and gaining trust in each other, as a precondition of effective and fruitful co-operation.
The further goal of organisational support and advice is an ongoing task that will be intensified in the future. Enlargement of our capacities and the Training for Trainer programme with intertwined advisory visits has enabled us to cover this area of work much better than we could a year ago We have enlarged our team with a volunteer, Ivana Franovic, fromBelgrade. With this we gain new quality in the team and offer her an opportunity to learn much about office organisation and project management within the coming 12 months. Another woman from Belgrade E. K. (participant of the Training for Trainers) will have a placement for two months in CNA Sarajevo, also with the purpose of getting acquainted to the office work (all that stands behind and around the trainings).
7. DIFFICULTIES AND LEARNING POINTS
7.1 Macedonia
The Balkan wide training events to be implemented inMacedoniain partnership with Embassy for Peace-Macedonia (EfP) have been organised and arranged through e-mail and telephone betweenSarajevoandSkopje. The communications between EfP and CNA have sometimes proved difficult. Different expectations and experience of organising events such as this between the 2 offices have occasionally led to confusion and unclarity. The search for funding has been very difficult and indeed at the time of writing (3 weeks before the training starts) we still do not have half of the funding necessary. Due to the earthquake inTurkey, a lack of applicants fromGreeceand ongoing difficulties in Kosovo, the participant list at this point lacks people from these areas.
But the learning points and basic advantages from this event already are huge. New and further contacts with people from Kosovo andCroatiaare much welcome to CNA (as of course all new contacts are). Future projects such as this will benefit from our lessons on how we should clarify roles, responsibilities, motivation, policies, expectations, and perceptions of all parties involved, before the actual organisation starts. We all greatly look forward to this training event. Something that has been this difficult to achieve surely deserves to take place.
7.2 Delays and Cancellations
Due to delays and cancellations of training events of various sizes, CNA has found itself with a lack of time for activities that need to be prepared, implemented, evaluated and documented by the end of 1999. The war in FRYugoslavia caused and influenced a number of these delays, however a lack of good foresight and planning on the part of CNA is also responsible for this.
1999 was the year in which CNA transformed from an office of one staff member, to a group of 4 full-time workers. This was therefore the first year in which so much work could be considered by CNA. The tight deadlines and little room for reflection that we have in front of us for the rest of the year are a result of the high motivation of the CNA team. They are also a big lesson in the need for more efficient time management of the projects we take on.
The remaining seminars of 1999 will be as professional and deliberate as all previous ones. There simply will not be as much room for CNA to enjoy them. A big lesson!
7.3 Region-Wide Trainers Meeting
This meeting, originally planned for spring of 1999 has been postponed for a year until Spring of 2000. The war in Yugoslavia, difficulty in finding funding, and a lack of time to dedicate to developing the project were all elements in the postponement.
7.4 Training for Trainers group
As expressed in the above evaluation of the Training for Trainers programme, we are pleased with the fact that we are starting to establish a group of individuals who are interested in conducting training events. This group consists of around 5 or 6 people and not all of them have yet conducted training in connection with CNA. Because this group is quite small, we are limited in the amount of people we can approach with training requests (in relation to the amount of requests we are receiving). A number of times we have sent training requests to the group and received no reply. The individuals in the group are heavily involved with work of their own and therefore their commitment is limited. This point will be an ongoing aspect of co-operation with ‘external’ trainers. It is also an issue that is multiplied when dealing with less experienced trainers who do not necessarily have a picture of how much time is needed to fundraise, develop, organise, implement, evaluate and document a training event. It is important to remember that the inclusion of people from the Training for Trainers is part of their training. The balance between implementing a professional training and leaving space for individual trainer’s learning experiences can sometimes be a very fine one.
7.5 Development of the pilot project “The role of police in civil society”
CNA for several months had been in the process of developing a training event for police in nonviolent dealing with conflict. A working group had been formed to gather information and make contacts to pursue this idea. The aspect of contacts is particularly important in this case because so many official bodies, local and international, are involved with the police service and their training.
CNA made contacts with varying organisations that eventually brought us to the OSCE legal department. We were contacting these organisations to gather information on how best to conduct this training and to get in contact with the police department so they could tell us what was needed in order that they would gain from it. Basically we needed details, to ensure that the training was going to be tailor-made for the participants. After our meeting with OSCE they contacted a UNIPTF (United Nations International Police Task Force) officer who is working with the Internal Ministry for Sarajevo Canton. IPTF then contacted CNA, under the impression that we had a completed training package for police officers which was ready to implement, and that we were solely looking for permission to conduct the training. IPTF got this permission for us from the Ministry. When IPTF contacted us to tell us we had received the permission, a meeting was arranged between CNA, CIP (NGO Information Service-Sarajevo), UNIPTF and the Deputy Minister for Internal Affairs for Sarajevo Canton. CNA thought we were going to a meeting to discuss how best to proceed with the development of the training package – we now had the permission and we could be safe in investing our resources into finalising this training event. IPTF and the Ministry thought the meeting was to finalise when, where and under what conditions was the training going to take place.
Needless to say the meeting was a disaster. The Minister told us that if he was going to discuss how to do the training then he would just develop it on his own. IPTF arranged to contact us with further information and they didn’t. Several attempts by CNA were made to resurrect the communication. In one conversation IPTF told us that the meeting had been very damaging and that because of this any evaluation of our work after the event would be very tough. He was told by CNA that we would welcome that type of evaluation as it would save us the work, and that he should not measure us by how the Ministry meeting had gone, but by our training work in which we are experienced and knowledgeable. IPTF finally stopped responding to our contacts. No further work on the project has been done.
8. Political Dimension of CNA Work
Another important aspect of our work that has developed due to the war in neighbouringYugoslaviais our accent on political work. In a way we have further developed our own understanding and reason for doing the work. All individuals in the CNA team have equally contributed to this development of CNA and we all feel the necessity that this character remains preserved once the project gets localised. The war inYugoslaviahas also brought our contact and exchange with the main Office in Wustrow to a much higher level, a co-operation that has been fruitful and constructive to the satisfaction of all sides.
CNA has the self-understanding of an organisation that trains people in conflict transformation and nonviolence so that there will be more skilled people. Through the nature of our training work we deal with human rights issues. In our trainings we simulate and talk about situations of injustice and challenge people to think about their usual behaviour and the responsibility it bears. We try in trainings to let people discover new and different angles, to question their visions and perceptions, and practice dealing with fear, hostility, stereotypes, prejudice, authorities e.t.c. We do not want trainings to remain just safe places where one can pretend to be able to act more courageously and nonviolently. We desire that nonviolence find its place in the reality of ourselves and of our training participants.
In the countries of Balkan there are nationalist governments who have seen war in the past as a legitimate tool to achieve political goals. They have abused their citizens and pushed them into a situation to bleed and kill to fulfil exclusive political goals that do not benefit more than one group at a time. And these goals have always meant discrimination and disempowerment of other groups. The rule of the mightier and (usually) more numerous is the present model. The only way people see the chance to preserve and secure their rights is getting allied with someone even mightier from outside. This could mean Bosniaks from BiH seeking support from the International Community, or Serbs from Republika Srpska seeking support fromBelgrade. They would perceive this as necessary to survive. And to achieve the alliance they are ready to give up a huge part of their rights.
Most of the people in BiH that we have talked to seem to have recognised that the war was not worth the sacrifice. But many of them have not been able to recognise the injustice to which they have contributed, and their own responsibility. There is no human solidarity with former ‘enemies’; there is only national solidarity. Most of the people that we have encountered see the greater responsibility on the other side, so they do not bother to think or mention their own responsibility. We can give the obvious lack of respect for minorities that is manifest in BiH to illustrate this, but this would be too black and white an example. Exactly how much respect that minorities have for majorities can be questioned here. And we can also give the lack of respect for the disabled, women, refugees, returnees, and potential conscientious objectors as other examples. Writing the word ‘minority’ can suggest an ethnic difference that forms people into a group. But ethnicity is only one asset of it. Fear and intolerance of difference and change is a serious issue.
We do understand people’s need to see obvious security measures such as the SFOR presence and the large BiH army. We see our work as a contribution to raising awareness around this, to the trustbuilding process and to the development of communication. We want to initiate a dialogue and create the space for people to develop strategies. To satisfy the needs of people that respect the rights of everybody – the individual and the group. Recognising and respecting the differences. Because of this aspect of our work we also see ourselves as an organisation that does not just support people in gaining valuable skills, but which also initiates and acts publicly against violations of human rights, for social justice and for social change leading towards sustainable peace.
9. Nonviolence and Human Rights Violations
After the start of the NATO bombing of FRYugoslavia, CNA was involved in setting up a meeting in Sarajevo to discuss the crisis there. The meeting is documented in this report (3rd Quarter, March-June 99). It had a big impact on us. We were left with the impression that nonviolence was not considered to be a practical attitude towards the events in FRYugoslavia. That humanitarian aid for refugees was the most practical and possible response, and that joint condemnation of the violence of all parties involved (Milosevic, NATO and UCK) was too difficult.
The idea of humanitarian aid being the most concrete form of support is a short-term measure. Humanitarian aid is essential in dealing with what has already happened (the ongoing refugee, remainee and returnee crisis in and around Yugoslavia needs all the support it can get). Because of this it is understandable why work such as CNA’s is not seen as a practical way to deal with the present material needs of the people involved. But it is alarming when dealing with the future is not seen as a practical response.
NATO reported that it was ‘bombing military targets’ in order to weaken the power of Milosevic’s troops. To destroy the tools of their trade. But even without these tools, even if the soldiers were disarmed of their weapons (which they were not), it would not disarm the minds of the people who want events in Kosovo to continue. In a television interview, one young member of the UCK said that he would fight Serb troops without any weapons if he has to. This is what is shaping the future of the Balkans today.
In our opinion NGOs in BiH are dealing with the direct and indirect consequences of the violence that happened here, and with the limitations of the short-term aid that BiH received. The NGO sector is a main sector dealing with cross-community, inter-ethnic and inter-religious work. It has many different foci, skills and objectives. There is a space for nonviolence to have a credible voice in this sector. If this sector does not see nonviolence as practical, then it will be a long time before the people outside the NGO scene will consider it. And time is the point here. People, communities, societies, we all need time to move on from experiences of violence. This does not mean forgetting these experiences, or the victims. It means not living and re-living them. One old Irish Republican said, “the future starts today”, and if we do not put effort into it, it will be shaped solely by other forces.
If nonviolent action is seen as impractical, then it seems that it is considered to be ill suited to the job. Perhaps it is seen as too soft or too passive or something done by idealists while others get on with what is needed. We need to work on this, and there is hurry. As long as putting effort into work that narrows the space for violence is seen as impractical, then violent responses to the violence that occurs, will be viewed as ever more practical. The connection between nonviolence and human rights violations is in taking away the ground for them to happen. By seeing why and how to influence our communities, and cut down the reasons why individuals would allow or take part in violations of human rights.
There are a huge number of stories from the war in BiH of unimaginable courage in nonviolent action, taking place in the midst of horror. The extremeness of this situation makes their courage stand out. A disadvantage to these stories is how outstanding they are. No one can be expected to work for nonviolence under great threat. But if we can look at nonviolent action as an integral part of our day, like brushing our teeth to stop the chances of decay that is something possible. Attempting to stay ahead of our prejudices, working in consensus, not getting tied down by an identity, it starts from there.
The need to deal with the issue of violations of human rights has many different angles. Humanitarian aid is an unquestionable necessity. As unquestionable a necessity as doing as much as we can to take away the room for them to happen in the first place. As long as we continue to concentrate our efforts on the consequences of violence, we are leaving the causes of this violence to the people who have not managed to avoid it, are taking part in it, and are justifying their participation in it. The future starts today, and if we do not put effort into it, it will continue to be shaped by those forces.
10. Report of the Project Co-ordinator Franziska Guenther
- Transfer of project co-ordination
I had no choice but to get to know the CNA project in 1996-97, because I was living with Nenad at that time, and was therefore consequently with his day and night preparations for this project. Preparations that were hardly to be interrupted by anything else apart from eating proja, playing cards or watching the European championships.
Since then I have been an active participant in the support group, and from the beginning of the project I have been acquainted with the objectives of the project and the commitment put into it. On the 1.11.98, I took over the co-ordination of the project from Joerg Rohwedder, with the intention at first of being solely his replacement. But on the 31.3.99 the co-ordination was put completely into my hands when Joerg started to work on another project of KURVE (though still committed to CNA as far as his other work allowed). It was only possible to fulfil the above schedule that collided with my pregnancy and the birth of my son with the help of Heike Hammer from the project group. She took over some of my tasks during the critical time, and continues to do so during my holidays or other “emergency” cases.
In agreement with CNA and KURVE Wustrow my area of responsibility has mainly been restricted to the direct co-ordination of the project. Fundraising and public relations work additional to that of the KURVE Wustrow are sporadic, according to the needs of the project or the available capacities. Project co-ordination includes the following tasks: regular contact and information exchange with CNA; representing the project at KURVE meetings; exchanging relevant information between KURVE and CNA, including mediation in cases of conflict both within the team in Sarajevo and between CNA and the team in Wustrow; financial control of the project; translation, sending out the regular reports of CNA; communication with and co-ordination of the support group and other people interested in the project.
I spent the first two months studying the project folders and getting introduced to the work of the KURVE main office in Wustrow. A visit to the KURVE office, and regularly attending meetings of the KURVE board, allowed me to become familiar with the rather difficult working conditions of the KURVE-team whose widespread activities often get into conflict with its capacities. This change of perspective made it possible for me to also see the Wustrow side of some of the conflicts between CNA and the Wustrow-team. Especially helpful were the meetings of the board, which give me the opportunity to represent the interests of the project, but also to take into account and discuss the interests of the office in Wustrow.
- Evaluation
In February the first evaluation of the CNA project took place inHamburg. It was prepared and organised by the project co-ordination group and the support group. As preliminary step questions on the work and future of the project had been collected, which were then used as a guideline for the evaluation itself. At the meeting many different perspectives were given. This stemmed from the fact that there was great variation in how involved participants of the meeting were in the work of CNA and the KURVE Wustrow. This gave the opportunity for critical discussion of both the internal and the external problems of the project. A more detailed presentation of the results of the evaluation appeared in the public report covering December 1998 – March 1999.
- Reports
I had already been translating the reports together with other members of the support group before taking over co-ordination of the project. My task now also includes the sending out of these reports and the address administration. The English original of the reports is always reviewed, criticised and discussed in support group meetings. Thus the reports regularly offer the opportunity to reflect on the course of the project and its presentation in public. This procedure also breaks the developed routine of report writing for the CNA office, by adding another phase in which we review the report. The support group asks for information about valuable personal experiences and details of activities, including those that have become so natural for the team that it would never cross their minds to include them into the report.
- Team enlargement
The beginning of my work as project co-ordinator coincided with the enlargement of the team inSarajevo. The fact that there are four people sharing the responsibility for the work and contributing their skills greatly reduces the need for input that the project co-ordination had to fulfil at the beginning of the project. Much of this input came in the form of moral support of the single volunteer, in every-day situations of stress and strain. Until now, and as far as I know, there have been no serious conflicts on matters such as work organisation or team work within the CNA team. Over all, the situation in theSarajevooffice has definitely relaxed.
- The war inYugoslavia
It was mainly for the work inSarajevothat the war brought about dramatic changes. Yet it also had its influences here in comparatively calmHamburg. The illegitimate NATO-attack, the brutality of the warring parties in pursuing their objectives, and the difficulty to assess the effects on the different countries of the Balkan and their societies. These all gave us reason to reflect on what we could do as inhabitants of one of the warring countries. During this time the project group met more often, took part in talks and discussions, transferred information and tried to get over the shock of the war happening and to do active work against it. “Insider information” fromSarajevoand the work of the information centre “War on the Balkans” in Wustrow were a good basis for this.
I held a talk on the war in the “Volkshochschule” (adult education centre) inHanoverand organised and monitored, together with the Peace Initiative Rissen (Gabi Meyer) and the peace organisation “Hamburger Forum”, a panel discussion on the 18th of June in the Curio-House inHamburg. On the panel were Nenad Vukosavljevic from CNA and Ivana Franovic of the Antiwar Campaign & Student Union,Belgrade(now a team member of CNA). Also present were Ekkehard Sieker of the TV channel WDR (he is responsible for the political TV programme “Monitor”); representatives of the media trade union delegation who had been travelling toYugoslaviain order to get their own impression of the effects the NATO-bombing has had on the economy and society inYugoslavia.
The support group also organised a stall on a fleamarket that was meant not only to raise some money for the project, but also to inform people with a flyer about both the project and the situation on the Balkan. Whereas the talk and the panel discussion attracted many people, the attempt to attract an audience beyond those who are critical and interested in the situation was a failure. It was a flea market, where people wanted to buy and sell things – nothing more and nothing less. A short dialogue with a man who wanted to pay 50 Pfennigs instead of one mark for a game may serve as an example. When I showed him the flyer, he only shrugged his shoulders, insisting on his offer of 50 Pfennigs and simply leaving as we repeated our demand of 1 Deutschmark.
What are the most important impressions I have gained during these “months of war”? First of all the impression that I underestimated the importance of German/geopolitical interests and the resulting foreign policy of the NATO-states for the developments on the Balkan – and with that also for the objectives of the CNA project – long before the beginning of the war. Also the feeling of finding oneself rather suddenly in a situation which, when one’s own parents and grandparents were concerned, had elicited the question: “Why didn’t you do anything against it?”
- Future Activities
In October 1999 several meetings of KURVE will take place. One of their aims will be the development of strategies to better use the existing capacities within KURVE. This includes questions like: how can the projects of KURVE be better linked via the exchange of information and experiences? Or, how can tasks be better delegated? From my point of view, the planning of tasks within the projects and of the work of the KURVE office for the projects is especially important in order to know in future when a project needs special attention from the office. But also vice versa when the KURVE office has no capacities for external projects. I would like to suggest that the different parties concerned write down their experiences with this and other projects. Thus a “guideline for project work” could be developed which could offer orientation for further work.
A meeting in October and, unfortunately fairly late, a conference in January, are meant to offer the opportunity to develop an annual plan, summarising the financial plans and work plans of both the projects and the team in Wustrow. CNA visited the project co-ordination twice this year. Now I am planning to visit the project inSarajevo, since I would like to associate pictures and not only texts with the work I do. The exact date has still to be fixed.
I have another wish for my future work: That the paradoxical feeling to have fun and joy supporting a difficult task remains.
11. Personal Opinions
11.1 Words from the newest CNA member – Ivana Franovic
As a new member of the team maybe it would be good to write down for the annual report some of my views of starting to work in CNA. It seems I have not chosen the best time to do that, as yesterday and today have been really depressing due to receiving so much bad news concerning our planned trainings inMacedonia, Trebinje andTuzla.
But I do not feel like a very new person over here. I came toSarajevoin the beginning of April, a few days after the war inYugoslaviastarted. I spent almost all this time in the CNA office doing whatever I could do that was needed. But officially became a member of the CNA team in August. Also, I have spent a lot of time in CNA over the last 13-14 months, so if the point of this writing should be impressions of the new volunteer, I can’t decide from which period I should start. From the very beginning?
In the beginning (and for the longest amount of time) my work with CNA has been connected only with trainings (preparation, doing actual training, evaluation and documentation). It was hard work but I really enjoyed it. At that time I received an offer to do an apprenticeship in CNA for few months, and I was really glad for the opportunity to learn the things I need to learn.
Before and during that time I was an activist in the Student Union of Yugoslavia (involved in organising the student protests, the student organisations network, the Antiwar Campaign, and other things). But I became “too old” for student activism because I had reached the stage where I was nearly finishing the faculty, so I had to pass my responsibilities on to younger students. But I still see myself in activism, voluntary work and peace work. Co-operation with CNA is a great possibility for me to stay active, in the way I really like and that suits me.
When talking about the work of CNA I appreciate the approach, especially (from my experience) the rare readiness to deal with difficulties. I have learnt so many things, and I haven’t stopped learning. One more fact that drew me close to CNA is it’s regional approach. The work includes the whole region of ex-Yugoslavian states, and stays aware of the whole region. My attitude is that one can hardly work on peace if you work only with “one side”, and do not include the many others involved.
When the war inYugoslaviastarted I was sitting miserable inBelgradewith my hands tied. I could not do anything, I did not know what to do, and I felt that all those years of work on peace, human rights, student rights, and civil society were destroyed. Then CNA asked me to come toSarajevo. It was very empowering for me because out of the country I could see, or better, I could think about possibilities of work on nonviolence which I couldn’t think about while I was sitting inBelgradewaiting for a bomb to fall on my head.
So, I have been here since April in the everyday work and life of CNA, which was a new aspect of CNA for me, not very unexpected. As I have got many positive impressions about CNA, the more things I like about it, so I spontaneously started to identify myself (my wishes, needs, motivation, and questions) with CNA’s work and to support it as much as I could. The thing I saw a real advantage in is the different background of the CNA staff. Totally different personalities, which (in my very strong impression) improves the work of CNA. When CNA asked me to be a member of the team I was ready to accept. I had a picture how it functions, and I could see myself as a part of that team.
This maybe sounds like a great ode for CNA, but it isn’t just spring and flowers. There are many difficulties we are facing, misunderstandings, feelings of exclusion, but the main thing is that we are ready to deal with them. For example one of the difficulties we are facing sometimes is the way of decision making. Many decisions have to be made quickly, so it includes members of the team at that moment present in the office (or part of the office), but not the other/others. It is maybe understandable as CNA starts to get so many offers for trainings, for facilitating meetings, for advisory work, and I have the impression that we sometimes do not know where our heads are. And that needs re-organising. But it also tells me how much CNA’s work is needed. I really like this work, and I’m finding myself in it, but I would be much happier if this kind of work was not needed. Still, I don’t have the impression that there is any region in the world that does not need work on nonviolence.
11.2 Words of IPPNW student Marc Burlon
In August-September 99, Marc Burlon a medical student fromHamburgand volunteer of IPPNW was placed in the CNA office for two weeks after his four weeks placement in one hospital inSarajevo. We would like to say a big thank you to Marc for his help with translation, his helpful feedback, his support, and the other things he gave us. Below are his feelings on his placement in CNA:
I am leavingSarajevoand going back home with slightly sad feelings because I have felt very comfortable here during my time in CNA. The life and problems inBosniaand in the Balkans came much closer to me through CNA work. I have found competent conversation partners here, who have helped me in my attempts to gain more understanding of the situation here.
There are two things that I liked best: the openness that I have been received with and the professionalism of CNA’s work. Herewith I mean the organisational and structural work in the office, just as the training work of which I have received an image of only through reports and conversations. My task as a ‘neutral observer’ that CNA has appointed me with has given me new knowledge that I will be bringing with me to German, and at the same time I have developed a desire to get more of it.
12. Work Plan
Our main objectives over the next year revolve around advisory activities, training, the publication of a training manual, the transfer of CNA to local staff, and evaluation of the project. We plan four 10 days Basic trainings in nonviolence and are still in discussion about implementing another “Training for Trainers” programme within this time frame (which contains two 10 day trainings, one 3 day training and 2 sets of follow-up visits in-between)
September 99- November 99
- 3 day communication and teamwork training for staff and members of the organisation IPAK in Simin Han
- Organisation and implementation of two 10-day basic Trainings in nonviolence in FYRO Macedonia, for participants from FYRO Macedonia, Serbia, BiH, Kosovo, Croatia, Bulgaria and Albania (in English)
- Implementation of a 10-day basic Training in nonviolence in Trebinje, BiH, conducted by local trainers
December 99 – February 2000
- Organisation and implementation of the Training for Trainers part 3 (delayed one).
- 10 day basic Training in nonviolence.
- Evaluation of the last 6 months – including analysis of conditions for local structures to replace CNA in its role.
- Preparation of the Manual for trainings in Nonviolent Conflict transformation.
March 2000 – May 2000
- Networking seminar for trainers from the territory of the formerYugoslavia, working in the field of conflict transformation trainings.
- Recruitment and introduction of 2 new staff members.
- Fundraising for CNA as a local organisation (from September 2000).
- Organisation and implementation of Training for Trainers part 1.
- Follow up visits of the Training for Trainers participants.
- Transfer, followed by intense advisory of the local staff and local co-operation partners.
- Preparation for evaluation.
- Publication of the Manual for trainings in Nonviolent Conflict Transformation.
June 2000 – August 2000
- Preparation of the participants, organisation and implementation of the Training for Trainers part 2.
- Follow up visits of the Training for Trainers participants.
- Organisation and implementation of the Training for Trainers part 3.
- Advisory activities and support of local trainers.
- Final evaluation.
- Completion of transfer.
Many thanks to all of those who are supporting the project of KURVE Wustrow – Centar za nenasilnu akciju, financially or through their engagement that made this project possible and helped to secure its implementation and all of those who are with us in their thoughts.
Special thanks to:
Heike Hammer
Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden – AGDF
Agency for Personal Service Overseas – APSO -Ireland
Berghof Stiftung & Berghof Institute for creative conflict menagement
Care International -Banja Luka
CNA Support groupHamburg
Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft Vereinigte Kriegsgegner – DFG VKBielefeld
Internationale Ärzte zur Verhütung des Atomkrieges – IPPNW Deutschland
Menschenrechtsreferat des Diakonischen Werkes
OSCE Democratisation office, Sarajevo
Quaker Peace and Service
Schueler Helfen Leben
Towae Stiftung
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CNA will very much welcome feedback, suggestions, questions and
criticism concerning this report and our general work.
Your thinking along helps us!
Thank you.
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Cara Gibney
Jasmin Redzepovic
Nenad Vukosavljevic
Ivana Franovic
For Centar za nenasilnu akciju
The Project office of KURVEWustrow,Germany
in Sarajevo, 1st October 1999
This report may be distributed freely with the acknowledgement of the source.
© CNA