Report The Missing Peace - the need for a long term strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 14th of September 2010 the report "The Missing Peace - the need for a long term strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina" was launched in Brussels. The report is the result of the collaboration between UK based organization Saferworld working on conflict prevention and a local partner organization from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Nansen Dialogue Centre Sarajevo (NDC). It outlines findings from research carried out earlier this year and analyses the post war situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with regards to politics and ethnicity, economy, regional relations.

The report focuses on community perceptions of the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a special attention towards youth, seen as a propagator of ethnic prejudices, due to educational systems and parent’s influence.

The launching benefited of the presence of various participants, from local activists and representatives of international NGOs, to representatives of European Commission (DG Enlargement) and European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUSR).

The main conclusion of the report is that despite significant achievements in the security field, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to face a unique set of challenges. As for the EU role in the region, it is noticeable that even after years of engagement its credibility in the public perception is at a very low level. Therefore the authors recommend that the EU strategy towards the country should be adapted in a more realistic manner to Bosnia and Herzegovina real needs and problems.

You can download the full version of the report (pdf) in English.

Information provided by Karina Mereuta, Trialog Brussels