Balkans Initiative

Programs

Bosnian Constitutional Working Group

With the assistance of Ambassador Don Hays of USIP, Paul Williams of the Public International Law & Policy Group, and Bruce Hitchner of the Dayton Project, the leaders of the political parties represented in the Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) parliament formed a working group to discuss the Venice Commission report on the constitutional situation in BiH, and to design constitutional amendments to prepare BiH for eventual membership in the EU and other Euro-Atlantic institutions. Hays, Hitchner, and Williams have provided technical expertise and mediation to the process, but the political leaders themselves have taken full responsibility for driving the process and for the amendments produced as a result.

• Read more about the Bosnia Constitutional Working Group

Bosnian Truth and Reconciliation

Over the past decade of experience in Bosnia, it became apparent that a broader process would be necessary to help Bosnians move beyond conflicting realities to realize one truth about the abuses suffered on all sides during the war.

The next generation of Bosnians is growing up far more divided than at any time before, potentially laying the seeds for new tensions and conflict. At the request of the speakers of the Bosnian parliament, a working group has been formed for the first time to negotiate the terms of a national truth commission, with the explicit understanding that USIP would serve as facilitator and technical resource for the working group discussions. The commission’s mandate will not only include providing a forum for dealing with a fractured past, but will develop a blueprint of steps to be taken to prevent a recurrence of such abuses in the future.

• Read more about USIP's work with Bosnian Truth and Reconciliation
• Read about USIP's Rule of Law Program

Promoting Interfaith Reconciliation in Macedonia

Internal strife in Macedonia over the past six years has had religious overtones and religious leaders became embroiled in Christian/Muslim tension. In 2002, President Boris Trajkovski asked USIP to help stimulate interfaith dialogue in Macedonia, and assist with the establishment of a Macedonian interfaith council.

• Promoting Interfaith Reconciliation in Macedonia