Post-Conflict Research Center
The Post-Conflict Research Center (PCRC) is a Sarajevo-based non-governmental organization, which aims to nurture an enabling environment for sustainable peace and facilitate the restoration of inter-ethnic relationships in Bosnia-Herzegovina. PCRC's expertise consists of innovative multimedia projects and creative educational curricula that engage youth in fostering long-lasting tolerance, mutual understanding, and social activism in the Western Balkans region. The Center’s overall mission is to build a robust network empowering youth with transferable skills and resources to spread an all-encompassing culture of peace among the many ethnic groups composing the country. PCRC’s overall strategy encompasses six core areas of operation: creative multimedia, preventing genocide, mass atrocities & violent extremism, peace education, transitional justice, post-conflict research and consultancy. History The PCRC was established in 2010 by Founder and President Velma Šarić and Co-founder and Vice President Leslie Woodward. They first met in Sarajevo when Woodward, a graduate student with substantial experience in strategic peace-building, post-conflict development, and research in developing country contexts, came to attend a study abroad program course designed by Šarić, an experienced journalist and researcher in the fields of sociology and international law. Once Woodward returned to the USA, they both developed projects and wrote grants over Skype with the goal of setting up an organization dedicated to building peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. PCRC today counts 10 staff members, several interns and over 40 experts providing valuable insights and guidance to the organization. PCRC brings citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Western Balkans together to discuss current cultural and political issues and speak their minds with the aim to strengthen local communities in the country. Activities and projects PCRC’s overall strategy encompasses six core areas of operation: creative multimedia, preventing genocide, mass atrocities & violent extremism, peace education, transitional justice, post-conflict research and consultancy. Creative multimedia The development and production of multimedia materials, tools and platforms aimed to inspire social activism towards positive change, educate viewers about underreported issues, advocate for the underrepresented, and foster tolerance and mutual understanding among divided citizens and youth. Preventing genocide, mass atrocities and violent extremism The provision of prevention-based education and training to civil society actors across the Western Balkans and the strengthening of policies and practices for the prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities. This area of operation also includes the implementation of interventions that focus on addressing sexual violence and impunity for perpetrators. Peace education The creation and implementation of educational programs and curriculum designed around cutting-edge research and best practices in the fields of intercultural dialogue and cooperation, intergroup contact, reconciliation, youth activism and empowerment, and pro-social behavior psychology. Transitional justice PCRC works to advance human rights and transitional justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the region via cutting-edge approaches to human rights and transitional justice - including arts-based initiatives and youth education programs - that complement more traditional transitional justice mechanisms and human rights initiatives in the region. Post-conflict research The creation and implementation of methodologies for the collection, analysis and dissemination of rescue and survivor narratives and testimonials, the design