Bosnia-Herzegovina
Latest from USIP on Bosnia-Herzegovina
- May 21, 2012 | Event
USIP’s Center for Gender and Peacebuilding, in collaboration with Kate Spade New York and Women for Women International, convened experts to explore the impact of private business and civil society partnerships on women's empowerment in the post-conflict contexts of Afghanistan, Bosnia and Rwanda.
- January 4, 2012 | Publication
Gender and Peacebuilding Center Director, Kathleen Kuehnast, discusses USIP's focus on women's equality in 2011 and looks ahead at the gender projects USIP will work on in 2012.
- November 23, 2011 | Publication
Consolidating the legitimate use of force in the hands of the state is a vital first step in post-conflict peacebuilding. This USIP Peace Brief analyzes two processes that are vital to securing a monopoly of force: disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR).
- October 25, 2011 | Event
USIP, in collaboration with the Institute for Inclusive Security, USAID, and Vital Voices, hosted a discussion with Ambassador Swanee Hunt and USAID’s Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg on lessons emerging from the Bosnia conflict with a particular focus on the best ways to ensure a direct role for women in peacebuilding efforts worldwide. In addition, film producer Abigail Disney and film director Pamela Hogan presented their PBS documentary, “I Came to Testify,” that describes how a group of 16 women from Bosnia, victims of the war’s systematic rapes, broke through political and societal silence by stepping onto the witness stand at an international tribunal.
The Current Situation
On October 3rd, 2010, almost 15 years after the Dayton Accords ended the war in Bosnia, Bosnians across the country participated in the nationwide elections. The general elections -- the fifth since 1996 -- represent the victory of politics over violence, but still reflect schisms that caused the conflict. As the results of the election emerge and the new government takes shape, USIP remains committed to working with Bosnia and international actors to foster an environment that encourages economic growth, progress toward eventual membership in the European Union and a concerted effort at constitutional reform.
The Bosnian Elections
USIP’s Daniel Serwer discusses the significance of Bosnia and Herzegovina's October 3 elections and the challenges facing the country and region.
- Why is this election significant?
- How has ethno-nationality been a challenge for government reforms?
- What constitutional reforms have been suggested?
- What could change with the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
- What lessons can the international community and other nations struggling to emerge from conflict can learn from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s experiences?
- Is there hope for Bosnia?
Influencing and Advising Policy Makers
Daniel Serwer recently addressed Congress on the U.S. role in Bosnia's needed reforms. Serwer advised that the U.S. focus its attention on:
1. Adapting Bosnia’s constitution so that the country can hope one day to enter the European Union.
2. Helping Bosnians to overcome the divisions in their educational system that risk laying the foundation for war in the next generation.
You can read the full testimony, Fulfilling the Promise of Peace: Human Rights, Peace and Reconciliation in Bosnia, here.
Get Involved
- Sign up to learn more about Bosnia-Herzegovina events and publications
- Contact us to learn more about the USIP's work in the Balkans
Visit usip.org/balkans for all of USIP's work in the region