18th international scientific meeting "Croatian-Serbian relations" in Golubić
This year’s gathering is jointly organized by the Association for History, Cooperation and Reconciliation from Golubić , the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation from Novi Sad and the Migration Research Institute from Zagreb . Special emphasis is placed on topics that connect local communities, improve coexistence and encourage sustainable development.
At the opening ceremony, the participants reminded that peace does not mean identification, but acceptance of diversity and rejection of intolerance. Professor Dr. Darko Gavrilović, president of the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation, pointed out that societies become vulnerable when reason and dialogue give way to slogans and divisions.
The mayor of Obrovac, Ante Župan, emphasized the importance of building a relationship of trust between Croats and Serbs, while the president of the Association for History, Cooperation and Reconciliation, Janko Veselinović, underlined that, regardless of political challenges, it is necessary to persevere in creating a positive atmosphere and a better position of minority communities.
Community representatives also spoke about the importance of minority institutions. Anja Šimpraga from the Serbian National Council pointed out the pressures that the national councils face, and Darko Sarić Lukendić from the Croatian National Council in Serbia spoke about the financial and status problems of the Croatian community, as well as the consequences of the slowdown of Serbia’s European integration on minority politics.
The program of the meeting continued with panels dedicated to historical perspectives and the development of tourism cooperation in the Bukovac region and Juzna Lika.
By organizing this event, the importance of scientific dialogue and cooperation was once again confirmed, and the Center for History, Democracy and Reconciliation is proud to be a part of this year’s initiative that contributes to understanding and reconciliation in the region.
