Martina Fischer-Voosholz Livres

The study investigates initiatives for reconciliation and “dealing with the past” which were undertaken by international organisations, legal institutions and local civil society actors in response to the wars of the 1990s. The coherence of objectives and strategies and their implications for peacebuilding, forms of cooperation and learning experiences, and the political resonance of the various approaches were a particular focus of interest. In all, 150 interviews were conducted in 28 municipalities. The study was carried out with input from civil society organisations and academic experts in the region. Srdan Dvornik (Zagreb), Katarina Milicevic (Belgrade), and Ismet Sejfija (Sarajevo) co-authored the study.

The exchange between the lead authors and the discussants in this dialogue vividly illustrates the need to shift from a state-centric view, yet without entirely rejecting the notion of state. At the same time it shows the difficulties of integrating concepts of political order that do not correspond with the western-style Weberian/Westphalian state. Instead of advocating ideal-type, off-the-shelf models and blue-prints, the contributors to this dialogue argue that historically well-informed analysis, which leads to a deeper contextualized understanding of the local and regional situation on the ground, has to be the bedrock of any attempts for external assistance aimed at peace and development. They discuss evidence and counter-examples from Somaliland, Afghanistan, Liberia through to the Balkans and East Timor

What are the comparative advantages, and limitations, of civil society in contributing to peace-building? This paper from the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management discusses definitions of civil society (CS); outlines examples of CS peace-building activities; and discusses the positive contribution and potential limitations of CS involvement, with particular reference to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Civil society can play a key role in peacebuilding, but cannot compensate for state-building deficits: the strengthening of the state, economy and society must proceed simultaneously. ‘Civil society’ is a contested concept, but definitions involve the idea of a space where the political, economic and private spheres overlap. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs: non-state, non-profit groups working in the public interest) are frequently seen as the most obvious example of civil society. Recent decades have seen significant expansion in NGO numbers and activity, in large part due to the increased level of funds channelled through them by donors. ‘Strengthening civil society’ has become a key element of peacebuilding interventions – civil society is often seen as the solution to multiple social, economic and political problems. However, there is a risk that this overestimates the capacities of CS actors.

The Dayton Accords ended the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995. The 10th anniversary gives reason to investigate the post-war period, today's realities and future perspectives. Bosnian authors and international experts express their views on recent developments. Insiders and outsiders, working in the conflict and on its transformation, have been invited to tackle the questions: Which conflict lines mark the present society? Did peacebuilding activities address the underlying causes? What are obstacles for conflict transformation? What are the potentials and limits of international support? What does „civil society“ mean in Bosnia and how is it related to statebuilding and democratisation? How can people constructively deal with the past in order to design the future in the region of former Yugoslavia? The book gives an overview on an important research focus of the Berghof Research Center, highlighting the work of its most important cooperation partners.

This Dialogue sets out to assess the usefulness of current analytic approaches and policy recommendations in dealing constructively with war economies. Starting off with an overview of the state of the debate by Karen Ballentine and Heiko Nitzschke, respondents from a broad variety of backgrounds add their reflections, strategies and critique.

The Centre for Non-violent Action (Centar za nenasilnu akciju – CNA) was set up in autumn 1997 as the Sarajevo project office of the North German Bildungs- und Begegnungsstätte – KURVE Wustrow (Centre for Education and Networking in Non- violent Action – KURVE Wustrow). Since then, CNA has conducted more than 30 training sessions, bringing together young people from different parts of the former Yugoslavia to study practical approaches to non-violent conflict transformation. CNA also aims to support local NGOs’ networking activities and advise them on general issues concerning NGO development. From the beginning the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management has supported CNA’s work with supervision and advice. In January 1999, the CNA team also asked for Berghof’s support with the self-evaluation of its work. The purpose of this study is to take stock and clarify CNA’s approach. Within this framework, the obstacles and unresolved issues confronting peace work in Bosnia-Herzegovina – and, indeed, the Balkans in general – will be also outlined. The study is based on two sources: firstly on oral and written questions addressed to the CNA staff members and an evaluation of its Annual and Quarterly Reports; and secondly, structured interviews, carried out with graduates of the training Programmes.

In May 2000, 25 representatives from Southeast European NGOs convened in Romania to discuss the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe’s impact on regional civil society and cross-border initiatives. This four-day meeting, organized by the Foundation for Democratic Change and the Berghof Research Centre for Constructive Conflict Management, took place in the scenic Carpathian Mountains of Sinaia. Participants engaged in creative working sessions to develop recommendations for bolstering civil society in the region. The Foundation for Democratic Change aims to promote human and minority rights in transitional societies across Central and Eastern Europe, utilizing a third-party consultation model for conflict resolution. Its primary activities include training, consultation, and mediation.

Martina Fischer lebt mit ihrem Mann in einem alten Bauernhaus im Chiemgau und versorgt sich aus Überzeugung das ganze Jahr über so weit wie möglich selbst. Während die beliebte Autorin den Sommer über die Alm bewirtschaftet, Kühe mit der Hand melkt und zwei ungestüme Bergziegen im Zaum hält, geht ihr Mann auf die Jagd, verwurstet Wildfleisch oder bringt die Ernte im heimischen Garten ein. Birkensaft zapfen, wilde Beeren und Kräuter sammeln, buttern und käsen, Nüsse und Holunder verarbeiten - dieses Buch enthält viele Geschichten, Rezepte und praktische Anleitungen, die Lust machen, sich mit den Gaben der Natur selbst zu versorgen. Ausstattung: durchgehend vierfarbig

Heimkommen wo die Seele wohntDie stille Abgeschiedenheit des Berges, fernab vom hektischen Alltag im Das sind die Sommer von Martina Fischer. Von Almauftrieb bis Almabtrieb übernimmt sie die harte Arbeit einer Almerin, melkt Kühe, macht Butter und Käse, mistet den Stall aus, füttert die Tiere. So lebt sie im ursprünglichen Rhythmus der Jahreszeiten, den Gewalten der Natur ausgeliefert. Doch einsam wird es auf der Alm nie. Ein enges Verhältnis zu den Tieren erfüllt ihr Leben auf eine ganze neue Weise und auch an interessanten Besuchern mangelt es nicht. In diesem Buch will uns die inspirierend bodenständige Autorin an ihrem Alltag, ihren Gedanken und Einsichten aus dem Leben auf der Alm teilhaben lassen.

Das neugierige Zwergkaninchen Schnufel fragt "Was ist Glück?" Überall sucht er nach der Antwort. Wird er Glück haben und die Antwort finden?