Đurđa Đukić
Project coordinator, Policy Center
- My organization:
The Policy Center (hereinafter referred to as PC) is a think-tank which operates in the field of regional cooperation, human rights protection and civil sector reform in the Western Balkans countries. PC writes policy papers, whose goals are to solve specific problems in the field of human rights and transitional justice. The policy papers consist of recommendations for problem solutions and action plans (specific steps to be followed in order to resolve the problem). PC advocates for its policies by developing close cooperation with institutions and organizations. In order to promote specific policy, PC uses all methods of advocacy and works closely with the civil society organizations, institutions and international organizations. Policy program is focused on researching issues that Western Balkans countries deal with in the area of regional cooperation, conflict prevention and human rights protection. In particular, this program is focused on making stronger guarantees that crimes from the past would not be repeated. PC writes policies in order to address current issues that could lead to conflicts and increase tensions in the Western Balkans. Special attention is devoted to relations between Serbia and Kosovo, at the moment the most uncertain point in the region. Policies offer solutions for the specific problems that burden relations between Serbia and Kosovo. The aim of policies is for its implementation to gradually create better relations and communication between the two societies.
- Examples of concrete activities I have organized/am organizing in the field of “dealing with the past”:
Apathy, primarily coming from young people about the problems which derive from the inheritance of the violent past, and on the other hand, the existence of strong nationalistic groups which have a growing influence in society without the readiness of the state to deal with them in an adequate manner. The media also do not show sufficient interest for the topic, while those who devote space to these topics do not do this in an adequate manner and they use weak facts. The state does not deal with this problem systematically – there are almost no state institutions competent for these issues and those which exist are either not dealing with them or deal with them in a manner which does not presuppose a responsible attitude toward the grave human rights violations from the past.
- Concrete challenges I am facing in my “dealing with the past”-related work:
Through numerous programs which I have worked on for the YIHR and PC, I have gained personal affection toward the topic of transitional justice i.e. the process of dealing with the past.. Through my further engagement in the civil society in Serbia and personal development, I would be able to contribute to the education of young generations which have an obligation to know what happened in the former Yugoslavia and a responsibility to never let anything like that happen again. As a member of a younger generation, I recognize the significance of the process of dealing with the past and I wish to use my active participation in this and similar programs to contribute to the initiatives which have the goal to lead to a long-term reconciliation.
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