MIP joins second regional webinar on the use of ICTY and Mechanism archives in education

On 9 December 2023, the Mechanism’s Information Programme for Affected Communities (MIP) participated in a second regional webinar as part of a series of workshops entitled “Usage of SENSE interactive narratives as a supplement to the ‘Guide for History Teachers: How to Use Archival Material of the ICTY and Mechanism in Teaching the History of the 1990s Conflicts’”.

This series is organised by the SENSE Transitional Justice Center (SENSE) with the support of the Association of History Teachers in Croatia (HUNP) and the European Association of History Educators (EuroClio). It aims to promote the SENSE Interactive Narratives as featured in the recently published ‘Guide for History Teachers: How to Use Archival Material of the ICTY and Mechanism in Teaching the History of the 1990s Conflicts’ (Guide). This Guide was developed by the MIP team, along with representatives of associations of history teachers from across the region of the former Yugoslavia, and EuroClio focal points and trainers.

Ms. Anisa Sućeska, MIP Youth Outreach Coordinator and one of the Editors-in-Chief of the Guide, together with contributing authors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia, presented three chapters of the Guide – ‘Children in War’, ‘War and Migrations’, and ‘Women in War’.

Other key speakers at the webinar included: Ms. Arna Daguda Torlaković, history teacher and focal point from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ms. Nataša Kostić, representative of the Association of History Teachers of Serbia; Mr. Igor Radulović and Mr. Miloš Vukanović, representatives of the Association of History Teachers of Montenegro; Ms. Mina Vidaković, Director of SENSE; and Ms. Donika Xhemajli, President of the Association of History Teachers from Kosovo.

The participants discussed opportunities for history teachers to incorporate a wide range of archival material, including photos, audio recordings, testimonies, and other court documents, which were meticulously selected by SENSE and highlighted in the relevant chapters of the Guide. The event also facilitated the exchange of recommendations and ideas on teaching about the 1990s conflicts and addressing the topics discussed.

The MIP’s participation in the webinar is part of its efforts to support projects and events implemented by civil society organisations that are active in the field of transitional justice in the region of the former Yugoslavia.

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.