Initiatives

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Joint History Books 
 
JHB 2.0 

The Joint History Project for all countries of Southeast Europe enters a new phase

The Joint History Project for all countries of Southeast Europe enters a new phase. Based on the seminal work of hundreds of historians and teachers from Southeast Europe from 1998 to 2016 in producing workbooks in eleven languages which span from the Ottoman Empire to the Cold War and the Transition in Europe, this follow-up will seek to engage young and new audiences in the digital sphere.

JHP 2.0 will also continue to mobilise the knowledge and creativity of historians and teachers, artists and journalists, and anyone else who wants to promote a democratic political culture in southeast Europe. The plan is to produce social media posts, videos, comix, articles, academic studies and a range of other content to stimulate curiosity, empathy and critical thinking about history. You can follow the first materials from today when our first media campaign LEARN AND INSPIRE launches today at Facebook and Instagram.  

A scientific conference on the concept of borders in southeast Europe is scheduled for spring 2025. The central theme of this meeting will be whether the region has emancipated itself from the drive towards demarcation and particularism.

Prof. Christina Koulouri from Athens continues to head the JHP scientific work. Ditmir Bushati, former Foreign Minister of Albania, chairs the “Friends of JHP 2.0”, a group of academics, diplomats and civil society activists in southeast Europe who believe that this project should reach as many people as possible, especially the young generation. Zvezdana Kovač from Montenegro leads the JHP 2.0 team. For more information, please contact jointhistoryproject@gmail.com.

The European Fund for the Balkans is implementing the project with the kind support of the German Federal Foreign Office.

 

The Joint History Books were the central programm of the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE), a regional and impact-oriented NGO based in Thessaloniki that sought to foster democratic, pluralist, and peaceful societies in Southeast Europe. Despite of producing one of the most successful projects ever, in 2019 the CDRSEE has been forced to shut down due to the lack of funds.

On the initiative of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), through the support for the creation and maintenance of this website, these books are again available to the public. The EFB understands that these books are an important tool not only for history teaching, but also for opening a culture of dialogue and different ways of thinking. The Joint History Books can be a way out of a largely one-dimensional education system in the region of Southeast Europe and they have the potential to encourage exchange about different perspectives and experiences.


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