04 Dealing with the past
Life does not simply continue after a war; wars and armed conflicts leave traces in any society affected. Civilians are very often victims. The youth are especially affected by warfare and its aftermath: they went through experiences they do not understand, were separated from their families and homes; quite possibly, they were also recruited as children soldiers.
Dealing with the past helps to systematically look at the past, find back to a normal life, reconcile the confrontational parties and establish sustainable peace. There is no recipe for dealing with the past; several methods are applied, such as truth commissions, justice (courts), reconciliation initiatives, institutional reforms etc. The measures are initiated both by the government and key persons. On the one hand, it is important that the measures are supported by a majority of the population; on the other hand, it is just as crucial to restore trust between the conflict parties, society and government.
The youth should and must be involved in this process. They are tomorrow's future, but must also deal with the past. Youth have needs and expectations that are different from the adults', so they must be involved differently - in a participatory way - in dealing with the past.
The close cooperation with the local partner organisations is a prerequisite for youth projects, as for any other project; to know and respect the local situation, to implement projects as partners and in a sensitive manner.
Following activities can help dealing with the past through youth projects:
- Professional psychosocial support and help (psychologists, social workers, etc.)
- Workshops, discussions
- Cultural activities such as drama, music, painting, films, etc. will help dealing with the past in a playful manner
- Sports activities are uniting and can have a knock-on effect reaching farther than the community
The ultimate objective with youth projects dealing with the past, however, is to bring youth from the formerly opposed sides together (often they are of different ethnic origin), to foster peaceful cohabitation through the projects' role model. This needs time; sometimes it can only be approached several years after the conflict. It is very important to gather enough information about the local issues and realities, to consider if and how such a reconciliation might be possible.
Links:
FDFA, dealing with the past
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/topics/peasec/peac/confre/depast.html
Swisspeace, Working paper: Dealing with the past
http://www.swisspeace.ch/typo3/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/KOFF/KOFF_DealingWithThePast.pdf
IDEA, Reconciliation after violent conflict; a handbook
http://www.eda.admin.ch/etc/medialib/downloads/edazen/topics/peasec/peac.Par.0071.File.tmp/dc_030101_ReconciliationAfterConflict_e.pdf
SDC, conflict prevention und transformation
http://www.deza.admin.ch/en/Home/Themes/Conflict_prevention_and_transformation
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