Post War Context in Bosnia Herzegovenia



It has taken a long time to see how far and with what permanence life in Bosnia Herzegovina has changed since the outbreak of war and the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, signed November 1995. The country has changed dramatically since Nationalism replaced Communism in mainstream politics and the outbreak of violent warfare and ethnic cleansing. While the establishment of Democracy was initiated following the Peace Agreement the power structures developed through the war remain in place in many areas. Four years after Dayton representatives from the major international institutions implementing the agreement, OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe), UNHCR (United Nations Human Rights Commission), SFOR (Security Force) and OHR (Office of the High Representative), made a joint statement that return of refugees and restructuring of the economy still remain crucial issues - and that long lasting peace is still a distant goal.

The development of civil society is a clear requirement to facilitate social reconstruction and stability of BiH - to restore equal citizen's rights and developing civil responsibility for progress. Attempts to develop individual expression, general civilian engagement with social problems and restoring confidence and mutual understanding between communities are vital for the future and still require great support.

Mladi Most (Young Bridge) is developing and promoting a new style of work to realise an alternative future of communication, tolerance and intercultural cooperation to recognise individuals beyond the generalised and artificial identities created through political machinery. The young generation is strong, full of energy and determined to push back the barriers that have been built through warfare and prejudice to rebuild a future for themselves and the community.

The network created through Mladi Most's activities is particularly important due to the dispersal, division and isolation of populations according to identity. For example, a significant proportion of the population in Čapljina (South of Mostar), now a predominately Croat area, are displaced from Mostar and towns in northern Herzegovina. Blagaj (North of Mostar) accommodates refugees from Nevesinje (Republika Srpska), Čapljina and Mostar in a now mainly Bosniak community. Nevesinje (South East), Serb territory, now houses families of Serb origin mainly from Mostar, Blagaj, Čapljina and as well as other Herzegovinian towns.

Mladi Most involves young people of many identities, diverse religions, ethnicities and status within current society - remainee, refugee, returnee, displaced - and have different experiences as a result of the war. Individuals in the project are often from families who have moved to a 'safer' area where they are in the ethnic majority. Many are still living in or have returned to areas where they feel isolated due to their identity. Others have witnessed the change in their community as displaced families have flooded in. There are also those who have been living as refugees abroad who have returned. These ideas and experiences need to be shared and understood between individuals as well as between communities, in order to create a basis for tolerance, stability and intercultural cooperation in the future.

Mostar
Mostar was once the centre of a multi ethnic Herzegovina. Now it is famous as the location most resistant to the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. As US Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrook commented when he visited the town in September 1999 Mostar is 'the most broken city in Europe, whose failures exemplify the tragedy of the Balkans'. Not only was he refering to the destruction of the physical environment but also the polarisation of the town, its extreme nationalist elements which have resulted in social and political hatred and division.

While checkpoints no longer mark the lines of separation Mostar still remains a divided town. Existing youth activities generally involve young people from only one 'side', exclusively serving the majority identity - Bosniak or Croat. There are also a great many refugees from all over Bosnia Herzegovina now in Mostar, who may or not return. There is a strong need for displaced people to be integrated into the town's life but also to be re-connected to their former community. The displaced population's presence in Mostar is yet another source of tension and prejudice which is rarely addressed. Involving young people of any ethnicity or religion within activities not only validates them as citizens of the town but also restores their identity as individuals.

Outreach
The Mladi Most project and program addresses the need to reconnect dispersed, isolated and divided communities. It also provides opportunities for the return of refugees to their original homes to be supported through the creation of relationships between the displaced and their former communities. The network of young people from BiH enables learning and sharing of experience which serves to support reduction of prejudices as well as facilitating cross community relationships and cooperation.

Due to the dynamics of the region as well as localised demographic movement much of the program focuses on involving communities and groups within the Herzegovina region from Home, Nevesinje (Republika Srpska), Friends, Kostajnica, Under the Same Sun, Jablanica as well as the youth from Konjic, Čapljina and Blagaj. Mladi Most collaborates with youth groups from different parts of BiH, particularly Alterra, Travnik, Today for a Better Tomorrow, Ilidža, and the Centre for Democracy, Bihać. The Youth Centre in Gornji Vakuf/ Uskoplje has proven a very strong supporter and co-operating partner due to their experience and parallel work in a community similarly divided along Croat/ Bosniak lines.

Mladi Most is also in contact and cooperates with organisations throughout former Yugoslavia, including a long term partnership with Youth Peace Group Danube, Vukovar in North Eastern Croatia. Youth from Mostar and Vukovar have been involved in summercamps at the Croatian coast in 1998 and in Vukovar in 1999, as well as a joint Photo Seminar in Mostar in January 1999.

International Connections
As a result of the many international volunteers who have contributed to the project over the years Mladi Most has a wide network of international organisations who support its work. Brethren Volunteer Service (USA), the Bosch Foundation (Germany), European Voluntary Service and Diakonie (Germany) all finance volunteers currently working in Mostar. Following the connection with our former 'parent' organisation Aktion Suhnezeichen Friedensdienste located in Berlin we have a strong support base there as well as throughout Germany including 'Friends of Mladi Most', the SuedOst Zentrum and Schueler Helfen Leben.

Events have and will continue to be organised with the support and involvement of Beavers Arts (UK) as well as Guernica and Drugi Most (France), the organisers of the 'FIZ Festival' (Istok/ Zapad - east/ west) in Mostar. In the summer of 1999 Mladi Most also begun a long term partnership with Firefly (UK and Brčko) organising summercamps for young people from Mostar and Brčko on the Croatian coast.

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