Local Peacebuilding, Trauma, and Empowerment in Bosnia–Herzegovina

Abstract

The main argument of this article emphasizes the intimate connections which exist between the opportunity for participation and the possibilities of healing in the peacebuilding context of Bosnia–Herzegovina (BiH). More specifically, the goal is to examine how trauma is managed in such a way as to exclude the nonelite locals—the ordinary citizens—labeled as traumatized and how this exclusion affects both the “traumatized” and the potential outcomes of peacebuilding initiatives in BiH. In this article, it is argued that marginalized ordinary citizens are caught in a vicious circle that impedes the healing of their trauma and results in their exclusion from peacebuilding processes. This situation allows disempowerment to fester and grow, hinders the healing process, and undermines peacebuilding efforts. Based on data gathered through multiple field trips, this article also shows that the ordinary citizens are intuitively aware of the connections between participation, trauma, and political access, thus suggesting the power relations and political stakes inherent in local participation and trauma‐related activities.