Occasional Paper #11:OP:2  

by Janie Leatherman

Creating peaceful social dynamics is a challenge in many former communist states undergoing a transition to democracy and free market economies, especially when political and economic restructuring exacerbates deep cleavages. In the case of the Republic of Macedonia, the transition has encouraged ethnic competition, leading to the rise of competing nationalisms and the radicalization of national politics. This has led tothe polarization of ethnic communities in the country, though tensions have not erupted into inter-ethnic violence, as happened elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia.
  
This paper begins with a brief overview of the principles CRS has adopted to guide its humanitarian assistance operations in the 1990s, especially in light of the increasing need to respond to emergency situations in the context of incipient and even overt internal conflicts. This is followed by a general description of CRS operations in Macedonia, with particular attention to its Parent Teacher Association project. As we shall see, the project tests the hypothesis that activities which offer direct, tangible benefit to local communities can galvanize community participation and particularly multi-ethnic participation around common interests. The underlying assumption is that the promise of tangible benefits to all participants (a win-win outcome) holds the best prospect for promoting greater inter-ethnic cooperation and dialogue at the local community level. The analysis highlights several factors which may be important for achieving these kinds of results, including:

(1) the confidence building and empowerment aspects of CRS background preparation of the project sites; (2) the dual-type of third party roles the CRS expatriate and Macedonian field staff have played;
(3) principles adhered to for avoiding antagonizing inter-ethnic relations while launching the project;
(4) building on pre-existing community ties and networks; and
(5) the PTA's role in pre-conflict training:

e.g. legitimating problem solving approaches and engendering cooperative relationships among members of different ethnic communities and with government officials. The peacebuilding aspect of the project is also enhanced by the multileveled nature of the project and engagement of multiple beneficiaries (students, parents, teachers, local school officials, leaders and business owners and the government officials and ministries). Finally, the project helps build accountability as a fundamental aspect of government-constituency relationships in creating a democratic society.

Janie Leatherman is a visiting fellow of the Joan B. Kroc Institue for International Peace Studies.
 

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