Facing the past and peace building

Abstract

The Center for Non-Violent Action was founded in 1997 in Sarajevo, since when we have been working and conducting our activities in the area of the former Yugoslavia, with the basic mission to build peace by organizing programs for the education for peace. As of 2001, the Belgrade office has also been active. The purpose of our activities with the former soldiers, in addition to demystifying "the enemy" is the great need for their direct engagement in the peace process because of the high level of credibility that those people enjoy in their communities, among other things. Our intention is to give more space to the former soldiers and to engage a concerted effort on the overcoming of the obviously present gap between the peace organizations and the veterans? and war invalids? associations in these three countries. As a result of our yearlong experience, we have arrived at the conclusion that one of the most important; perhaps even the principal foundation for building sustainable peace in this region is facing the past. In the process of facing the past, the key elements seem to be the creation of space for mutual empathy, understanding and solidarity both on the collective (national and similar levels) and on the individual level.