The International Dialogue “Memory, Justice, Reconciliation?!” was held from 10 to 12 June in Sarajevo. With the Centre for Nonviolent Action as the host, the Dialogue was organised by another three organisations from Germany, the German Federal Foundation for the Study of Communist Dictatorship (Bundesstiftung zur Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) – Global Leadership Academy and Archiv Bürgerbewebgung Leipzig.
It was an opportunity to meet fifty guests from all over the world, and the region, who deal with these issues, including peace researchers, journalists, activists, university professors, war veterans, etc. and to discuss global good practice examples, as well as dilemmas, problems and difficulties we have all faced in our work.
One day was dedicated to visiting the Potočari Memorial Centre in Srebrenica, which left a deep impression on everyone.
On the final day, we hosted war veterans that the Centre for Nonviolent Action has been cooperating with for years. Their view of the past war and active involvement in changing the present were very important because this approach to peace work through cooperation of former enemies on peacebuilding is very valuable for the changes needed in all post-conflict societies.
We believe this dialogue was useful to everyone and that we will be able to continue it in other places in the world, because the exchange of ideas, thoughts and approaches motivates and encourages all of us involved in dealing with the past and peacebuilding.
Audio recordings of the introduction to the International Dialogue “Memory, Justice, Reconciliation” are available in English:
(Note: each recording is approximately 10 minutes long)