Reconciliation: A Transformative Tool for Families in Post-Conflict Environments

Abstract

Quality of life of families that have gone through military conflicts and now live in post-conflict regions is closely related to a complex, long-term and sensitive process of reconciliation. Reconciliation is a conditio sine qua non for a constructive approach by opposing family structures to the many challenges in various, yet common aspects of everyday life, such as health, social, educational, labour, civil rights, etc. Reconciliation deserves to be considered as a holistic and transformative educational tool of the lifelong learning platform. Benefits of the reconciliation process (based on capacity building for dialogue) were observed through longitudinal micro-qualitative research conducted in post-conflict regions of three Balkan countries. The research was oriented towards: • defining the stages in building dialogue-skills of families; • determining the factors for providing and encouraging integrative processes between families; • monitoring the transformation of the value system in family communities. Methodological framework of the research was based and developed using findings obtained by participant observation and semi-structured and un structured interviews with many focus groups of family representatives, representatives of local self-governments, educational institutions, and representatives of political parties, as well as analysis of relevant documentation. The respondents sample reflected the ethnic, gender, social, educational, generational, cultural and linguistic diversity. The research findings affirmed the importance of systematic, planned and strategic guidance of opposing family representatives through a dialogue that will initiate recon ciliation in several stages, with the ultimate goal of: establishing mutual relations through familiarization; building awareness of one’s own viewpoints, as well as the viewpoints of the others; mutual recognition and acceptance; detecting common needs and interests and showing support for smooth institutional operation. Reconciliation is ongoing pedagogical and andragogical challenge, and its implementation should reflect a multidisciplinary approach that enables the development of a set of competencies and skills of family members, which in the long-term leads to transformation of their personal values.