Regional Peacebuilding Academy 2.0: Fostering Peace and Youth Dialogue in the Balkans

This event not only served as an environment for fostering peacebuilding efforts, but also announced the introduction of the second Regional Youth Partnerships cohort, comprising sixty young individuals from Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group represents a wide range of academic backgrounds and professional aspirations allowing for a culmination of perspectives, experiences, and opinions which shined through during the Academy.

 

 

The first day featured insightful introductions on the Academy’s main themes from Igor Bandović with BCSP, Paul Prososki representing IRI, and Ana Koeshall from the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. Nemanja Džuverović proceeded to engage participants with a lecture on the importance of peacebuilding. Later, Tamara Tomašević, Vojislava Tomić, and Zoran Zlatković led intimate discussions on identity, prejudices, and stereotypes. The day concluded with a panel consisting of four members from the first Regional Youth Partnerships cohort sharing their experiences.

 

 

Day two continued with participants attending sessions in their respective country groups. Tamara Tomašević, Vojislava Tomić, and Zoran Zlatković led sessions on dialogue, feelings, needs, and understanding. Participants learned about the “Evaporating Cloud” technique, used to foster nonviolent communication during a conflict. These preparatory sessions provided participants with the groundwork needed to engage in large-group discussions the following days.

On the third day, Liza Wilkinson opened by sharing her experience and expertise on everyday peace in Northern Ireland. Denis Džidić followed by discussing media and transitional justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the afternoon, participants heard from Mia David, Ares Shporta, and Feđa Štukan on armed conflict and artistic practices. The conversation, moderated by Isidora Stakić, began by discussing the role of art in conflict. During the discussion portion, participants engaged by addressing their frustration with word choice and identity articulated during the conversation. The day concluded with a viewing of the film “Whose Song is This?” which demonstrates the cross-cultural legacy of art and music.

 

 

Day four commenced with Arber Gorani speaking on human security and securitization. Following this lecture, Isidora Stakić led a discussion on memory cultures and politics in the former Yugoslavia. This session also involved a group activity where participants discussed the commemorations of the Srebrenica genocide, the NATO bombings, and The Storm. Participants then had a fireside chat with IRI Vice President, Patrick Quirk, who gave advice and encouragement to the participants as youth in a changing world. The following discussion, with Samir Beharić, involved reconciliation, education, and the European Union. Finally, participants joined in a conversation with Arban Mehmeti and Aleksandar Pavlović, moderated by Hana Sokolović, regarding the dynamics of Serbian-Albanian relations.

 

 

The final day of the Regional Peacebuilding Academy included a discussion and group activity on gender misrepresentation in the media with Hristina Cvetinčanin Knežević. Participants then met once more in their country groups to review their thoughts, impressions, and conclusions. After reconvening in a large group for closing remarks from Biljana Ljubić, the second Regional Peacebuilding Academy officially came to a close.

 

 

This event, marking the beginning of the 15-month Regional Youth Partnerships program, built a foundation for the participants to engage with the peacebuilding process. Furthermore, with a variety of topics, speakers, and activities, the Academy provided an interdisciplinary analysis of peacebuilding. Throughout the week, participants became more involved and open to sharing their thoughts, which optimistically foreshadows a continuation of engagement throughout the Regional Youth Partnerships program.

 

The report was prepared by the BCSP intern Josephine Hall.