Global Learning Hub for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation

Background
In July 2019, the German government adopted the “Interministerial Strategy to Support Dealing with the Past and Reconciliation (Transitional Justice)” as part of the implementation of the government's “Guidelines on Preventing Crises, Managing Conflicts, Promoting Peace”.

The strategy aims to strengthen Germany’s engagement in the field of transitional justice, to further approaches and instruments as well as interministerial cooperation. Four priority areas are identified:

1. linking dealing with the past with a prevention agenda
2. empowering communities particularly affected by violence and transforming conflict narratives
3. promoting gender equality in transitional justice processes
4. using the multi-faceted experience gained from addressing Germany's past

Furthermore, the strategy highlights the importance of enhanced national and international partnerships between state, civil society and academia, collaboration and mutual learning.

Goals of the Hub
Against this background, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Berghof Foundation took the initiative to establish the Global Learning Hub for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation. The Hub seeks to strengthen partnerships and to advance the policy and practice of transitional justice. Its objectives are to

1. facilitate networking and collaboration between relevant stakeholders on the national and international level
2. strengthen and enrich mutual learning
3. deepen knowledge of and advance approaches to dealing with the past and reconciliation processes
4. enhance Germany’s engagement in the field of transitional justice and dealing with the past

Key actors and target audience
The Global Learning Hub for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation is built on a collaborative approach with partners from Germany and across the world, including a broad network of relevant German and international stakeholders. The envisioned shared space for mutual learning, knowledge generation and advice engages a diverse range of actors and target audiences, including:

• German state and civil society actors that are active in transitional justice, remembrance work and civic education
• Civil society organisations and research institutions that are active in the field of transitional justice
• Hubs and platforms working on transitional justice and related issues in (post-)conflict contexts
• Political decision-makers in Germany

The Global Learning Hub for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation is a joint initiative of the Berghof Foundation and the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development in collaboration with partners from Germany and across the world. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.

Key documents:

• Interministerial Strategy to Support Dealing with the Past and Reconciliation (2019)
• The rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies: Report of the Secretary-General (2004)
• The EU’s Policy Framework on support to transitional justice (2015)
• AU Transitional Justice Policy (2019)
• UN Guidance Note of the Secretary General on Transitional Justice: A Strategic Tool for People, Prevention and Peace (2023)

Selected Berghof publications:

• Bloomfield, David (2006), "On Good Terms: Clarifying Reconciliation (Report No. 14)".
• Fischer, Martina (2011), "Transitional Justice and Reconciliation - Theory and Practice (Handbook Article)".
• Austin, Beatrix & Fischer, Martina (2016), "Transforming War-Related Identities. Individual and Social Approaches to Healing and Dealing with the Past (Handbook Dialogue Series No. 11)".
• Schernbeck, Nico & Vimalarajah, Luxshi (2017), "Negotiating Transitional Justice - A Strategic Framework".
• Zemskov-Zuege, Andrea & Wolleh, Oliver (2018), "Changing the past in our heads - A facilitator's guide to listening workshops".