MIP hosts seminar for high school students and educators from across Europe

From 20 to 22 September 2023, the Mechanism Information Programme for Affected Communities (MIP) hosted a group of 19 high school students and teachers from countries across Europe at the Hague branch of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism).

This three-day visit was part of a Youth and Teacher Seminar entitled “Seeking Justice from Nuremberg to The Hague”, organised in cooperation with the European Association of History Educators (EUROCLIO).

The objective of the visit was to provide the participants with a comprehensive understanding of the work and legacy of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as well as the Mechanism as its successor. Representatives of the MIP gave a series of presentations, which served as a platform to encourage dialogue on a broad range of issues related to international criminal justice and accountability, such as how to ensure the effective pursuit of justice when individuals in positions of authority commit crimes and when national legal systems fall short in delivering justice.

As an integral part of the programme, on 22 September 2023, the MIP team delivered a presentation at EUROCLIO's facilities. This session showcased the MIP's extensive video productions, which comprise more than 200 short videos, and highlighted the significance of video productions as a valuable educational resource. Two online exhibitions produced by the MIP, featuring witness stories and testimonies, were also presented.

The collaboration between the MIP and EUROCLIO represents the growing importance of educating young people about international criminal justice and human rights. By bringing together high school students and teachers from diverse backgrounds, this seminar fostered a deeper understanding of the mechanisms in place to address heinous crimes and promote accountability on a global scale.

The aim of the MIP is to improve the knowledge and understanding of citizens and communities in the countries of the former Yugoslavia about the crimes committed during the conflicts of the 1990s, based on ICTY and Mechanism cases. The MIP is funded by the European Union.