Third Belgrade History Teaching Symposium

Third Belgrade History Teaching Symposium

Belgrade once again served as an inspiring hub hosting Symposium on history education titled "Disarming History"! From April 11th to 12th, experts and professionals from diverse corners of the globe converged in our city to exchange inovative practices in history education. For three years, this symposium has served as a cornerstone event for all involved in the field of education.Spanning various venues across Belgrade, this event is complemented by captivating tours, offering participants insights into diverse perspectives on cultural-historical heritage
The opening of the Third Belgrade history teaching Symposium commenced with speeches from Janos Babity, Head of the Council of Europe Mission in Belgrade, Edward Ferguson, British Ambassador in Serbia, Silvia Davidou, Ambassador of Romania in Serbia, and Prof. Milan Stančić, Vice-Dean at the Faculty of Philosophy.
Janos Babity reflected on the importance of the Council of Europe's mission in democratic Europe, especially in light of its 75th anniversary.
Edward Ferguson delivered an inspiring speech on the Balkans, where he emphasized the significance of reconciliation and diverse perspectives in understanding history.
Ambassador Silvia Davidou highlighted the importance of collaboration in exchanging teaching experiences in history within the region and across Europe.
The special feature of this symposium is the hosting of the ISHA - International Students of History Association seminar. Milan Stančić, on behalf of the Faculty of Philosophy, greeted all the students and guests who came this year from across the region and numerous countries in Europe.
the introductory panel on history education in Europe at the Third Belgrade Symposium!

Organized by the Office of the Council of Europe in Belgrade and the Observatory for History Teaching in Europe, an introductory panel was held at the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade. We invited representatives from the Ministry of Education in Serbia, Executive Director of the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe, a professor from Maynooth University, and our , Vice-Chair Ana Radaković to exchange experiences regarding the challenges faced by history education in Europe. Discussions revolved around the importance of democratizing history education, adapting new teaching content to the needs of new generations (Zoomers already make up 32 percent of the global population).

The active role of the Republic of Serbia in the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe in Europe holds special importance, as it allows students and educators to share experiences with other European countries and promote their best practices.
The stunning interior of the Ambassade de France en Serbie provided an ideal setting for the panel  "Disarming  history".
How, when, and in what ways was historiography shaped in accordance with broader societal movements? Is it possible for historiography to shed the burden of historical concepts formed during those times? Why do monuments trigger civic protests worldwide? Have they also supplied examples of creative public engagement and the development of deeper understanding of the past. Is it possible to use curriculum to change the focus from a violent past to emphasizing peace through cooperation?

The discussion entitled ‘Reconciliation Through History Teaching’ was a crucial one, engaging with the manifold complexities and opportunities for reconciliation afforded by history education from the perspective of the panel’s wide-ranging, transnational experience. The speakers included H.E. Anke Konrad, the Ambassador of Germany to Serbia, H.E. Rene Trocazz, France’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, and Dr. Marko Suica, Professor of History at the University of Belgrade.

This event brought together experts from diplomatic and academic circles, as well as youth from Europe who participated in the ISHA - International Students of History Association seminar organized by the Klub Studenata Istorije Ostrogorski.
Discussions revolved around whether young people can more actively engage in reconciliation processes in the region through formal education, primarily history and civic education. Can schools teach new generations to recognize populist manipulations? Does denial and distortion of historical facts create conditions for retaliation and the resurgence of conflicts?
Why is the responsibility of politicians crucial in developing the capacities of democratic societies, condemning hate speech, distancing from war crimes, or engaging in selective "reading" of history which fuels nationalist sentiments?

The Symposium featured workshops encouraging educators to explore societal phenomena from recent history to foster understanding of democratic values and respect for human rights. It's clear that the workshops served as dynamic platforms for educators from Serbia, WB, and Europe to come together and jointly explore some important phenomena from the 1990s, still resonating in our present reality.

Workshop 1: "Regional perspective on the wars of the nineties"
motivated the participants to face the various events that influenced the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in an unusual way.
Workshop 2 within EuroClio - European Association of History Educators #Monument(al) Challenges project : "Disarming monuments - disarming history" initiated an engaged discussion about the role of monuments in cities throughout the Western Balkans, encouraging critical analysis and reflection on their socio-political significance.
Our final traditional panel was dedicated to the youth: "Forging Paths to Reconciliation: How Young People Can Overcome the Legacy of Conflicts by Confronting Diverse National Historical Narratives".
Representatives from the Observatory on History Teaching in Europe. Klub Studenata Istorije Ostrogorski from Belgrade, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office - RYCO from Sarajevo shared their insights on fostering reconciliation among diverse communities.
The discussion sparked a dialogue on how young people can overcome historical divisions created by previous generations. We explored the necessary changes and the extent to which young people can participate in these crucial decisions.
The concluding panel of the Symposium, titled "Building Paths to Reconciliation: How Youth Can Overcome the Legacy of Conflict by Confronting Different National Historical Narratives," focused primarily on the perspectives and challenges faced by the participants. This panel gave a floor to youth representatives coming from various backgrounds.

Participants also had the opportunity to explore Belgrade through guided walking tours, offering diverse perspectives on the city's cultural and historical heritage.

The full report you can find here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:c59b952e-0678-4af7-b408-63bf086c0322