Reconciliation, its elements and methods: the case of Kosovo
Session
Political Science
Description
How to achieve reconciliation especially after a society has undergone violent and enduring conflict? There are many examples for the societies, especially in the western world, that have moved beyond conflicts to build trust and create long lasting partnerships in the benefit of their nations. A typical example is the Franco-German case. The reconciliation process in these countries was used as a peacebuilding strategy to overcome historical antagonisms between two countries using cooperative linkages, community building, and the extension of the societal and cultural ties . However, will countries in Balkan, in particular, would Kosovo and Serbia be able to do the same? An answer to this question is explored by using the reconciliation theory, its elements and methods and how they apply to the reconciliation developments in Kosovo and Serbia. The paper distinguishes between the reconciliation process at state level and community level. The paper concludes that reconciliation process is stalling in both levels. At the state level, the reconciliation between Kosovo and Serbia is stalling due to the absence of acknowledgment and lack of taking the responsibility about the past wrongdoings. Small initiatives at the community level have been undertaken to acknowledge the wrongdoings. However, both communities maintain their version of truth and live peacefully in a parallel existence.
Keywords:
Kosovo, Reconciliation, Peace-building, Co-Existence.
Session Chair
Ridvan Peshkopia
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-19-2
Location
Pristina, Kosovo
Start Date
26-10-2019 9:30 AM
End Date
26-10-2019 10:00 AM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2019.100
Recommended Citation
Limani, Merita, "Reconciliation, its elements and methods: the case of Kosovo" (2019). UBT International Conference. 100.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2019/events/100
Reconciliation, its elements and methods: the case of Kosovo
Pristina, Kosovo
How to achieve reconciliation especially after a society has undergone violent and enduring conflict? There are many examples for the societies, especially in the western world, that have moved beyond conflicts to build trust and create long lasting partnerships in the benefit of their nations. A typical example is the Franco-German case. The reconciliation process in these countries was used as a peacebuilding strategy to overcome historical antagonisms between two countries using cooperative linkages, community building, and the extension of the societal and cultural ties . However, will countries in Balkan, in particular, would Kosovo and Serbia be able to do the same? An answer to this question is explored by using the reconciliation theory, its elements and methods and how they apply to the reconciliation developments in Kosovo and Serbia. The paper distinguishes between the reconciliation process at state level and community level. The paper concludes that reconciliation process is stalling in both levels. At the state level, the reconciliation between Kosovo and Serbia is stalling due to the absence of acknowledgment and lack of taking the responsibility about the past wrongdoings. Small initiatives at the community level have been undertaken to acknowledge the wrongdoings. However, both communities maintain their version of truth and live peacefully in a parallel existence.