From February 22 to 28, a researcher from IFDT, Ivana Milićević, took part in a study visit to the United Kingdom, organised within the project “Different Memories, Shared Futures: Towards Inclusive Memorialisation“ implemented by the British Council. The study visit brought together representatives of civil society organizations, research and cultural institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo* and Serbia, who had the opportunity to learn about different approaches to memorialisation of conflict past.
The visit aimed to introduce participants from the region to Northern Ireland’s experiences in dealing with the past and achieving post-conflict justice through a series of visits, lectures, and discussions within museums, civil society organizations, and government institutions working in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, and London. Museum practices, local organizations’ initiatives, and public advocacy campaigns – carried out in cooperation with victims’ families, civil society representatives, and members of the academic community – were presented as examples of good practice of inclusive memorialisation. Visits to memory sites in different communities, as well as exhibitions at the Ulster Museum, the Museum of Free Derry, and the Imperial War Museum in London, provided insights into the role that memory sites and symbols play in shaping narratives about the past and imagining the future in post-conflict societies.
Finally, discussions with representatives of the academic community at King’s College and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) raised important questions about research approaches to memorialisation and post-conflict justice. The study visit encouraged a critical reflection on memorialisation in Northern Ireland and the post-Yugoslav region, enabling exchange of knowledge, experience, and good practices and laying the foundation for future cooperation and improvement of dealing with the past.
Valuable experiences in inclusive memorialisation and regional and international cooperation in this field will contribute to the implementation of the project “Shared Future: Youth for Inclusive Remembrance in the Western Balkans,” carried out by IFDT with the support of the British Council.
