Serbian-Croatian relations; contemporary challenges of cooperation and heritage

From the 25 until August 29, 2024, a scientific meeting "Croatian-Serbian relations; contemporary challenges of cooperation and heritage" was held in Golubić (Obrovac). Scientists from Croatia, Serbia and Australia participated in the meeting. The gathering was organized by the Association for History, Cooperation and Reconciliation from Golubić (Obrovac), the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation from Novi Sad and the Migration Research Institute from Zagreb.

Topics of discussion: Serbian-Croatian relations and challenges of minorities

The scientific meeting discussed Serbian-Croatian relations with a focus on the challenges faced by minorities in terms of survival and cooperation, as well as the protection of local identities and economic development in the Bukovica area.

Key statements on Serbian-Croatian relations

Prof. Ph.D. sci. Janko Veselinović on the Symbolism of Serbian-Croatian Relations

“This school, which was damaged in the war and then partially rebuilt, has symbolism. On one side of the school wall is a swallow’s nest, a symbol of life and peace, and on the other side there is a mold that eats away at the wall. That mold symbolizes the worst of both nations and that is what poisons relations and harms both Serbs and Croats. That mold must no longer exist.”

Prof. Ph.D. sci. Darko Gavrilović on the Politics of Hate in Serbian-Croatian Relations

“Politicians who sow hatred and fear can never sabotage life as much as those who follow them or we ourselves can, if we just watch what they do wearily and mutely. That’s why it is not enough to just carry the absence of hatred in yourself and remain silent hidden in your own little world. You need to be present with your peace in all parts of life. Only then can we talk about achieving true peace and reconciliation. And hating others is just another form of slow suicide.”

Prof. Ph.D. sci. Darko Gavrilović on the Politics of Hate in Serbian-Croatian Relations

Prof. Ph.D. sci. Davor Pauković from the University of Dubrovnik pointed out that traumatic experiences from Croatian-Serbian relations can be valorized in a way that does not produce hostile discourse. This can be achieved through different politics of history and memory, but at the moment there is no political, and it seems, no wider social will either. Relations have been frozen for several years with an emphasis on the negative aspects of the historical legacy.

The role of IMIN in the promotion of cooperation through Serbian-Croatian relations

The General Secretary of the Institute for Migration Research from Zagreb (IMIN) stated that from this year IMIN appears as one of the organizers of the meeting, because with its authority it emphasizes topics related to minorities, but also supports numerous actions of scientists that not only contribute to the development of science, but also encourage the active participation of scientific institutions in an advisory role towards political institutions. IMIN will, as prof. Tomislav Vodička, at the beginning of next year, publish the collection of papers from the meeting.

The latest: