Description

On this study tour you will be traveling to the tumultuous Balkan region, where you will witness the after-effects of human rights violations first-hand and learn from numerous speakers about Europe’s reactions to these atrocities from an international human rights law perspective.  You will visit the crucial war-torn areas that will bring to life classroom discussions of the armed conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. By visiting local politicians, NGO workers, academics and military officers, you will gain an understanding of the reality and practical concerns affecting the implementation of obligations under international human rights law.

Fall students will spend the majority of their study tour in the capital city of Kosovo, Pristina.  In Pristina you will visit the International Civilian Office, the European Union Rule of Law Mission to Kosovo, the University of Pristina, among other organizations, large and small, national and international.  You will also take several short trips out of the city to Mitrovice and Pec, where you will hear alternate views of the aftermath of armed conflict and the rebuilding process.

In the spring, students will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and stay in Sarajevo, the diverse and developing capital city.  In Sarajevo, you will visit the Parliament, the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia & Herzegovina, and meet with leaders of religious and cultural groups.  You will also travel outside of the capital to visit cities including Tulza, Mostar and Srebrenica to gain new perspectives on the Bosnian War.

Both tours are tailored to give you the tools to form your own conclusions about human rights violations during the conflict, international intervention, and the post-conflict rebuilding process.  The tours also aim to provide you with a variety of viewpoints concerning the actual conflict, and provide a means to develop an understanding for of the conflict as a whole.