Western Balkans: promoting sustainable reconciliation
Posted: 2006-04-27
What are the key barriers to reconciliation and deeper democratic development in the Western Balkans region? That was one of the key questions addressed in IDEA’s international meeting on “Promoting Sustainable Reconciliation Processes In The Western Balkans”, 27-28 April 2006 in Stockholm. This meeting tested the grounds for a new IDEA reconciliation project in the region.
Participants included some 20 experts with extensive experience of the many challenges involved in addressing issues of reconciliation in the Balkans in the aftermath of nearly a decade of violent conflict. Among those who attended were Senior Political Advisor Kai Sauer from the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Future Status Process for Kosovo, Director Vesna Terselić of Documenta Centre in Zagreb, and Senior Balkans Analyst Nicholas Whyte from the International Crisis Group.
The group tested the hypothesis that a number of important political and institutional developments over the last decade have opened ‘windows of opportunity’ to address reconciliation within a regional Western Balkans framework. The group also:
Identified possible target groups, particularly of decision-makers and other relevant national officials that should be addressed by a larger project.
Brainstormed on the modalities, key topics, participants, venue and timing of a possible IDEA workshop or series of regional workshops.
Identified potential partners in each of the Western Balkans countries and territories in focus.
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