The Balkans remain a region marked by a painful history of wars, conflicts, and ethnic divisions. In this conversation, we explored the psychological and social consequences of these events, and how societies can or should engage with their past to build a peaceful future. We discussed transitional justice, the importance of remembrance versus intentional forgetting, the role of forgiveness, and the challenges of interethnic dialogue. Questions were raised about how communities can heal, how individuals confront trauma, and whether reconciliation efforts—both local and international—can foster trust and collective identity after conflict.
-
Transitional justice and the Hague cases
In the second episode of the “Balkan Perspective” podcast, we discuss the role of international courts in restoring peace in the Balkans after the conflicts of the 1990s. What impact have these institutions had in addressing war crimes and building trust among citizens? Are these courts perceived as a mechanism of justice by the affected communities?
Special attention is given to North Macedonia, analyzing the level of peace and inter-ethnic relations following the 2001 conflict. Our guest is Imer Selmani, a prominent political figure who has held significant positions throughout his career and has been a witness to key developments in the country.
-
The role of the two religions in bringing peace on the Balkans
New episode of the podcast Transitional justice
In this episode we discuss the role of the religions in the post conflict period on the Balkans. How did the religions contribute to making peace and are we living in a harmonized society today? On these topics, Evi Shkopi is talking with the teologist and sociologist Musa Musai about the Islamic point of view, and Kristina Atovska is talking with the Professor and Priest Milan Gjorgjevic about the Orthodox point of view.
Watch the full episode.
-
What is Transitional Justice?
In the first episode of our new podcast series, Balkan Perspectives, we talk about Transitional Justice, what does it mean, and how have countries in the Balkans dealt with it? Why don’t we learn about it as a subject in schools, even though it’s so important? To answer these questions, we talked to University Professor Blagoj Conev, who explains the basics of Transitional Justice and why it is important for our region.
