Building Trust and Reconciliation in Bosnia and Gercegovina: Different approaches

The local religious communities are traditionally “overly-focused“ on mass gatherings of believers, e.g. in terms of numbers (how many believers will go to the pilgrimage, Ajvatovica, Medjugorje …). They want to leave the impression of their „power“. And often their „power“ and influence on the believer (especially on their intimate life) do not go beyond the threshold of the church / mosque. That is why this monograph „Building Trust and Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Different Perspectives“ comes to us as a real refreshment.
Academician Prof. Dr. Ivan Cvitković

It would be sad and frightening if, at this advanced stage of Western cultural development, social life in B&H did not find a way to overcome the paradoxes of cultural identity politics. That would entail the collapse of the sacred, but also the defeat of the type of education that this mono- graph warns us about. That is why the drive for awareness among citizens is important. This relies on NGOs, and more broadly on an articulated civic activism which concretizes reconciliation by strengthening trust between the people in B&H, and which thus establishes and preserves a free society.
Prof. Dr. Želimir Vukašinović

They know that the key is in the hands of politicians and the state, leaders of ethnic groups and statesmen (along with the so-called international community). But they don’t seem to take it in their hands intentionally; they are not used for the purpose of reconciliation and mitigation of multiple war consequences in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Should we be passive and calmly wait for reconciliation? No, one should work on it using every opportunity! Even this kind of research and this publication, which is a valuable contribution to social sciences and humanities.
Prof. Dr. Dragoljub B. Đorđević

The publication points out the PROCESS of changes and the need to establish values of trust and coexistence, that needs to be consciously encouraged in educational systems, media, and religious institutions. Unfortunately, what we learn is that there is no consensus omnium about this need, despite the passage of time, and in some segments of social life it has not even begun.
Prof. Dr. Danijela Gavrilović

This study has a special methodological contribution which is reflected in the recognition of the need that such a complex research problem must be investigated by triangulation of methods and techniques. Namely, the study combines qualitative and quantitative methodology, which is recognized, above all, in linking the results obtained by interviews with already published results of quantitative research.
Prof. Dr. Snežana Stojšin

Therefore, the authors of this research propose a peace strategy of inclusion, which means accepting the diversity of citizens of different identities and living together, rather than living side by side. Then, a systemic approach to peacebuilding, in which key institutions of the system of government, media, academic and civil society institutions will work together and in a coordinated manner on peacebuilding, rather than undermining each other. In addition, the authors appeal to the importance of the individual responsibility of each citizen, because they ultimately make up the system, as well as the willingness to work for the common good for their community and people.
Prof. Dr. Zilka Spahić Šiljak