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Reconciliation Process in the Western Balkans: Perspectives and Expectations

Many recent studies on peacebuilding in Western Balkans have shown that reconciliation process on both structural and cultural level is burdened with many challenges and problems. Consequently, this can potentially have negative impact on the pace in which the positive peace is socially achieved and sustained (Kostovicova 2013, Bojicic-Dzelilovic et al. 2016, Jensen 2016). Bearing in mind that there are different conceptualizations of reconciliation, this presentation aims to analyze varieties of perspectives regarding the future of reconciliation process which are present in three post-conflict societies in the Western Balkans. The presentation focuses on main discourses regarding the perspectives and the future of reconciliation process in post-conflict societies Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Macedonia on both national and regional level. The analysis is based on the qualitative research conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia in 2016. The findings are derived from 21 focus groups in total. Gaining insight into perspectives of reconciliation process is important since they include evaluation of peacebuilding process in general and attitudes regrading structural obstacles and challenges which are manifested on the level of everyday life (for example, in education, judiciary, politics, economics etc.). Generally, there are several dominant discourses with regard to the perspectives on reconciliation process which are in part mutually opposing. However, these perspectives are mostly founded on the way respondents relate to past and past events. The reconciliation process is viewed as necessary and long-term process which entails adopting European values.

peacebuilding, reconciliation process, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia

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