On October 2, 2024, Culture Goes Europe (CGE) hosted a series of events to honor the International Day of Nonviolence, a date chosen to commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Recognized worldwide as a symbol of peace and a champion of nonviolent resistance, Gandhi’s philosophy continues to inspire movements for justice and reconciliation, particularly in societies grappling with past conflicts. To celebrate these values, CGE organized The Dinner of Cultures, where participants shared diverse culinary traditions; a cacao ceremony led by workers from the Ecuadorian NGO Cacao Source, encouraging reflection on indigenous practices and harmony with nature; and the opening of the exhibition The Postcard for Everyday Peace, which displayed insights from the Semillero – Everyday Practical Peacebuilding project, emphasizing community-based approaches to peace.
One of the day’s events was a workshop titled Journey Through the Past: Understanding the Wars in Former Yugoslavia, offering participants the opportunity to explore the complex history of the former Yugoslavia and the wars that followed its breakup in the 1990s, encouraging reflection on reconciliation and lessons for nonviolent solutions to conflict.
Workshop overview
Constructing the Timeline of Yugoslav wars
First activity gave participants an engaging way to understand the sequence of key events that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent wars.
Participants were provided with a series of significant historical events related to the Yugoslav wars, though they were initially out of chronological order. The task was to work together to arrange these events in the correct sequence, using their own reasoning and newly acquired knowledge. The events ranged from political shifts to military conflicts, as well as international interventions and peace agreements.
This collaborative exercise allowed participants to explore the connections between these events, helping them understand how one led to another. While some were already familiar with key events, others were less knowledgeable, and the activity fostered discussion and idea-sharing. Groups worked together to assemble the timeline, discussing their reasoning and learning from one another.
Roots of the conflict: understanding the breakup of Yugoslavia
After this activity, participants watched a presentation that offered a thorough overview of the historical context behind the creation, existence, and eventual disintegration of Yugoslavia. The presentation focused on crucial topics such as the political system, ethnic relations, sources of conflict, and the aftermath of the wars. It also discussed the aftermath of the wars and how the region has been affected in the years since.
Following the presentation, a discussion took place, addressing questions like: Is it possible to create an “objective” narrative of these events? What are the main obstacles to reconciliation in the Balkans? What role can youth play in the reconciliation process? This part of the workshop allowed participants to delve into the complexities of the conflicts and their lasting effects.
Photos: Maryna Bykova
Reflection and evaluation
To conclude, participants reflected on the workshop’s quality and discussed the most important insights they had gained. Many shared how learning about the breakup of Yugoslavia and its complex causes gave them new perspectives and a deeper understanding. They also considered how these lessons could apply to their own lives, particularly in terms of empathy and conflict resolution. This reflection helped solidify the day’s discussions and provided a space for participants to think about ways to carry these insights forward.
The activity is cofounded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Program.
