The frequency and lethality of armed conflicts and other forms of mass violence are increasing worldwide. Some of the most destructive wars currently being waged in Europe, such as those fought in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, are called ethnic conflicts. The “fuel” of such conflicts is ethnic or national divisions within multiethnic societies.
While politicians, scholars, and civil society are engaged in analyzing and attempting to resolve such conflicts at the national level, examples of successful resistance to ethnic violence at the local level often go unnoticed. For example, during the 1990s in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, some multiethnic communities maintained unity and peace despite the broader context of war. Similarly, in Cyprus, Ukraine, and Israel/Palestine, ethnically mixed communities live that have offered, or are still offering, constructive resistance to ethnic divisions and violence.
This interdisciplinary international conference is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and lessons learned on constructive resistance to violence and preserving local peace even in the most difficult circumstances.
Because the local community often has more power than we think.
The conference will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, starting at 10 am, on the University of Rijeka Campus.
We will publish the draft agenda and the call for registration soon.