Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation
The IHJR seeks to dispel public myths about historic legacies
in societies divided by ethnic conflict
Loading...The IHJR has taken important strides forward in developing the field of historical justice and reconciliation. The IHJR can proudly count as a key accomplishment its own transformation from being a “project” of the Salzburg Global Seminar to an independent institute in The Hague in October 2008. It is now recognized not only in The Netherlands but internationally as a center undertaking issues of historical justice and reconciliation. Our annual report of 2009, which can be downloaded here, reflects the developments of the IHJR during its first full year of independence.
The CHDR is an outcome of the IHJR Project in the Former Yugoslavia.
The IHJR works in partnership with the Salzburg Global Seminar.
IHJR Methodology
The projects are framed around a multi-year, three-phase process, which can be adapted to the specific needs and conditions. Initially, the IHJR seeks to identify key individuals on both sides of the conflict and engage them in working group discussions, and, afterward, to work with them to bring the information to broad public attention. The three phase process involves the following:
Phase One: Negotiating Histories
The IHJR funds and organizes working groups of six to ten historians and scholars from both sides of a conflict as well as independent experts. These working groups conduct research and meet periodically with the express purpose of creating shared narratives that can be endorsed by the parties on both sides of a conflict. When it is not possible to agree on a joint narrative, the working groups will seek to create “parallel histories” whose content can be publicly endorsed by both sides. The IHJR raises funding to conduct research, to convene the working group members, and to publish and disseminate the results. This phase of the project will generally take place during three years.
Phase Two: Engaging the Public
The IHJR engages educators, public opinion leaders, and media representatives in promoting public awareness and discussion of the shared narratives. This process will include the production and dissemination of educational materials for schools, the dissemination of information to the media, and the engagement of community leaders in public discussions.
Phase Three: Regional Networks
The IHJR seeks to create continuing networks of scholars, educators and public opinion leaders to provide capacity for countering the manipulation of historical myths and unresolved legacies.
For each project a strategy including a timeline, benchmarks and outcomes are designed together with the project partners. Outcomes can include, for example, publications, historical commissions, public forums, or other “products” or activities that contribute to reconciliation processes in the region. It is anticipated that occasionally a project may be interrupted or postponed because of political or social instability in the particular region. The selection process will involve a degree of risk management by choosing a balance among secure and less secure projects.
The IHJR serves as a neutral intermediary in this process, seeks funding to support the projects and provides oversight of the projects, as well as guidance and context for the broader public discussions.
