History teaching in the region is ethnocentric, the 90s are taught little and selectively, because political elites continue to use history as a means of manipulation, as evidenced by numerous examples of unscientific historical revisionism.
This was announced at the opening of the international conference "Borders in Southeast Europe: Geography or Imagination?", which ends tonight.
At the opening of the conference, it was also announced that the war in Ukraine has sparked discussions on international principles of territorial integrity, the reflections of which on the region of Southeast Europe are obvious.
Montenegro's Chief Negotiator with the European Union (EU), Predrag Zenović, speaking about the Joint History Books project, which promotes a multi-perspective approach to history teaching through the example of six books covering the period from the Ottoman Empire to 2008, said that the conference starts from topics that are not only the subject of academic research, but also fundamental components of building sustainable peace and a democratic culture in the countries of the region.
According to him, education, especially history teaching, plays a key role in this.
"Initiatives such as the regional shared history project, within which six volumes have been published so far, represent a valuable contribution to the development of critical thinking and strengthening the capacity to deal with the past," said Zenović.
As he said, these manuals encourage a multi-perspective approach, which should in no way be revisionism, but an opportunity for deeper insight and better understanding.
"These textbooks testify to exactly that, because history must be based on facts, only on that basis is it possible to build legitimate and morally sustainable conclusions," said Zenović.
He pointed out that the most profound European example for the reconciliation process is the experience of Franco-German relations and the reconciliation of two then feuding nations.
"That process was a conscious decision to build a common European idea," Zenović said, adding that European practices provide a framework in which reconciliation is attempted and achieved.
Speaking about borders, Zenović said that one should ask whether the borders that divide are only a matter of politics and ideology, or a matter of narrative.
"The borders that separate memories are often more permanent than physical ones. That is why the task before us is not just to cross geographical lines, but to overcome mental and symbolic divisions," said Zenović.
German Ambassador to Montenegro Peter Felten said that in the past three years he had been able to see on several occasions how insufficient agreements are in the region and how much the lack of agreement about what happened in the past stood in the way of cooperation and understanding.
"That's why the work and results you've achieved through these six volumes are of exceptional importance," Felten said.
He said he had also experienced an attempt to politicize history - an incorrect interpretation of historical facts and a misinterpretation of what happened in the past, as well as a denial of responsibility.
According to Felten, sometimes schools in the Western Balkans avoid topics related to the recent past, and certain issues related to identity, religion, or belonging become increasingly toxic.
"It is a disease against which the most successful vaccination would be not to leave the past in unclear situations, but to jointly recognize important facts and not to enter into arguments about what the facts are, but to direct the discussion towards the interpretation of established facts," said Felten.
He said that, without prior agreement on established historical facts, reconciliation is not possible.
Felten said that reconciliation is one of the routes of the Berlin Process, which was initiated by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, continued by Olaf Scholz, and will now be continued by Friedrich Merz.
"The Berlin Process has always had regional integration as a benefit, as well as a way for the region to prepare for EU membership," Felten said.
Speaking about borders, he said that it is impossible to draw borders in a logical manner in the region, but the only way is to make them such that citizens of the region can pass through them unhindered.
Felten added that he is pleased that at a time when state funds are being reduced, they have the opportunity to support the JHP project.
Former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati said that the Joint Historical Readers project has nothing to do with borders, but with people working together to think clearly and critically about the future.
He pointed out that there is a network of various disputes that hinder the ability of the countries of the region to move forward more quickly.
"We are witnessing this network of disputes that stem from either World War II, the breakup of Yugoslavia, or border disputes that arose due to the creation of new states after the fall of the Iron Curtain," Bušati said.
As he said, in the case of the Visegrad Group countries, but also others, it could be seen that EU accession is such that it transforms former enemies into neighbors.
"In our case, it has not yet proven to be so. I hope that through collective action we will contribute to that," said Bushati.
Executive Director of the European Fund for the Balkans, Aleksandra Tomanić, said that when they started working on the project, they realized that the books had to be available online.
She said they discussed how to create a secure site that wouldn't be hacked, so the IP address changes every 15 minutes.
According to Tomanić, this is how one prepares technically if one wants to consider history from different angles.
"With a constructive approach and true political will, the problem with history in the region could be solved," said Tomanić.
She thanked the German Foreign Ministry for its support of the project.
The editor of the JHP project and rector of the Panteon University of Social and Political Sciences, Kristina Koulouri, said that the project, which began in the late 90s at the initiative of businessmen who wanted to see peaceful development in their region without wars, managed to survive until 2020 and be resurrected in 2022.
"After so many years, I believe this project is a success story, worth a second chance and inspiring young colleagues who would like to continue and renew our work," said Koulouri.
She pointed out that the JHP was launched by a team of more than 100 historians from 13 countries in Southeast Europe.
"Six textbooks have been produced to promote reconciliation in the region and, despite the regional dimension, this is a unique project," said Koulouri, adding that the JHP can offer a model for how to teach in post-conflict societies.
She said the books have been translated into Japanese, where they are used as a model.
According to her, JHP has created an important legacy, on which we should base our future work.
Koulouri said that they chose the theme of borders for the second version of JHP because this concept is important in creating identity.
"We cannot understand borders without the concept of population movements and transitions that occur in different places. It is important to understand the history of borders in combination with the history of the state itself," Koulouri emphasized.
She stated that before the 18th century, there were no linear borders, but zones that depended on rivers or mountains, after which non-territorial integrity was created, so one must be careful when talking about borders and identities.
Speaking about education, Koulouri said that it does not produce results in the short term, but that one must be patient in order to bring about change through education.
"We are here to continue an endeavor that will be necessary as long as nationalism lasts," Koulouri said.
The head of the JHP, Zvezdana Kovač, explained that the project resulted in the production of six books covering the period from the Ottoman Empire to 2008, and on which historians from all countries of Southeast Europe worked.
She considers it one of the largest civil society projects, as dozens of historians from 13 countries managed to agree on the content of the books, which have been translated into 11 languages.
Among these editions is the one in Montenegrin, which can be found at: www.jointhistory.net.
Kovač thanked the German Foreign Ministry and the European Fund for the Balkans, which made this project possible (JHP 2.0), and the Center for Civic Education for their support in organizing this conference.
Bonus video:
