Conference in Sarajevo “Reconciliation in the Western Balkans”

The Aspen Institute Germany in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a high-level conference in Sarajevo, on October 28-31, 2024, entitled “Reconciliation in the Western Balkans”. The project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The international community has repeatedly taken up the issue of reconciliation and the governments of the region have made corresponding commitments. However, there has been no substantial progress in this regard. On the contrary, the nationalist and divisive rhetoric of politicians and decision-makers in the Western Balkans is on the rise again and is often used to advance their own political interests. This not only leads to an increasingly polarized social climate within and between the countries of the region, but also increases the suffering of victims and their families. Not only does it represent a major obstacle to the peaceful development of the Western Balkans and their respective EU aspirations, but it also poses the risk of destabilizing the entire region. Continued dialog at all levels, both within the region and with international actors, is needed to address this challenge and find ways to support reconciliation processes and dialogue between societies. 

The aim of this conference was to offer a platform for high-level participants from the Western Balkans, Germany, the EU, the U.S., and international and regional organizations to discuss reconciliation in the Western Balkans. How can reconciliation processes be better supported? What have been the most successful reconciliation initiatives in the Western Balkans, and what factors contributed to their success? How can current social disputes be contextualized and defused through historical reappraisal? To what extent must reconciliation be exemplified on a bilateral or multilateral level? How can external actors, such as the EU or Germany, support reconciliation processes in the Western Balkans? What role does civil society play in the reconciliation process? How can public discourse be shifted towards more constructive and inclusive narratives? This event was part of the “Western Balkans Initiative: Engagement for Progress and Stability” project, kindly supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.