Out of the broken mirror: learning for reconciliation through multi-perspective history teaching in Southeast Europe
The Joint History Project (JHP) is an initiative that aims at significant change in historical research and education in all countries in Southeast Europe. This evaluation report provides an analytical review of the developmental and training aspects of JHP, particularly the regional development of the History Workbooks from 2002-2005.
The paper indicates that the JHP rapidly responded to teachers’ requests by creating the History Workbooks as practical supplemental teaching materials with diverse sources and perspectives from the different countries in the region. Furthermore, the document underlines the following findings:
- the process of developing the Workbooks was very effective, given that it was based on value-driven objectives and had enabled productive dialogue between diverse participants from all countries represented
- the publications were both the result of a regional consensus, and useful tools for implementing innovative new approaches to teaching history
- the History Workbooks have supported national advocacy to endorse a new approach to history teaching
- the Joint History Project has started growing local support for multi-perspective history teaching
The author emphasises it is critical that the JHP work continue in order to sustain achievements and impacts, especially in the current context of nationalism that still exists in the region. In addition, the report draws the following lessons from JHP experience:
- comparative and multi-perspective teaching of history is considered an effective instrument for assisting reconciliation efforts in conflict-affected regions
- to maximise impact, support needs to be planned as part of a longer funded project that provides for participatory processes involving expanding circles of diverse participants from both the academic and teaching communities
- to be effective, such initiatives need to be locally driven, rather than donor initiated
