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1. Reading, Writing and Reconciliation: Educational Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author:
Valery Perry
Publication Date:
09-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:
The post-war reconstruction and state-building process in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been complex, with priorities changing as the country gradually normalizes and donor interests evolve. In mid-2002 the international community in BiH began a significant effort to modernize and reform BiH's education system to better prepare the country's youth to play productive social, economic and political roles in the future. Although educational reform gained significant attention in 2002, reforms efforts have been occurring at a variety of levels since 1996.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Development, Education, and Reform
Political Geography:
Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Eastern Europe

2. Constitutional Reform and the 'Spirit' of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author:
Valery Perry
Publication Date:
02-2002
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
Abstract:
Critics of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP, or Dayton Peace Agreement) have been pointing out its inherent flaws and inconsistencies from the moment the terms became public, and the real challenges of implementation quickly became clear. For the past six years there have been calls to revisit, reform, or rewrite Dayton through a variety of suggested procedures. The most aggressive voices for change have suggested convening a meeting to develop a ‘Dayton II’, which would have as its main goal solidification of the peace, rather than just termination of the war. Instead, a more subtle approach has been in practice since 1997, when the High Representative’s powers were strengthened and his mandate effectively widened. Under a more aggressive implementation policy, the GFAP would be implemented not purely according to the letter of the accords, but according to ‘the spirit of Dayton’. Defining this ‘spirit’ has been controversial and challenging, and the current debate concerning the ref orm of the Entity Constitutions to comply with the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Constitutional Court’s decision on the status and equality of the constituent peoples in BiH will be a significant step in defining both the spirit of Dayton, as well as the spirit and character of BiH as a state. This brief explores this complex issue and its potential implications for local and international politicians in BiH. First, a short background on the Constitutional Court decision is presented. Second, the options currently under discussion are reviewed, within the framework of symmetrical and asymmetrical reform alternatives. Third, the broad relevance of this single issue to the larger issues concerning the legitimacy of the current organization of the state of BiH is considered.
Topic:
Treaties and Agreements, Minorities, Reform, Ethnicity, and Peace
Political Geography:
Europe and Bosnia and Herzegovina