Dealing with the Past

Objectives
Participants are able
• to assess the strengths and weaknesses of selected processes of dealing with the past
• to find their own answers to key questions related to dealing with the past processes

Violent conflicts lead to numerous injustices and leave scars on a society. These injustices are often
degenerating into new patterns of violence seeking justification in the past. A vicious circle.
Dealing with a violent past in a constructive manner is at the core of peacebuilding. It is a precondition
to reconciliation. However, there are many different ways—ranging from impunity and general amnesty to national truths commissions and international courts of justice. Such processes invoke questions such as: Why punishments, why amnesty? Is there collective guilt / responsibility? How to deal with collective memory and opposing versions of truth and history? Who is a victim, what is victimisation?

The trainers will offer insights into the processes they have been involved in. But foremost we will practice analysis and jointly seek for appropriate questions and viable answers.