The role of NATO in the maintenance of regional security was assessed from a random sample of 1000 residents in the Serbian entity Republika Srpska (RS) – part of Bosnia and Herzegovina – in the fall of 2011. Attitudes to NATO were largely divided along ethnic lines. Evidence of positive attitudes towards NATO was mostly found among (i) non-Serbs (71%) compared with Serbs (18%), (ii) women and (iii) respondents over 65 years. Specific features underpinning these responses were analysed and modelled, which included consequences of NATO membership in the domain of security, economics, international reputation and international relations. A main effects general linear model was able to predict 25.7% of the variance. Ethnicity, age group, level of education, degree of trust in politicians, understanding the role and purpose of NATO and the importance attached to reaching a common understanding of the past were significant predictors. Logistic regression models of a pro- or anti-NATO stance predicted considera...

This article builds on a previous publication in the European Journal of Special Needs Education (Tsokova & Becirevic (2009) and examines further developments of inclusive education in Bulgaria (BG) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The paper seeks to provide local and cross-national insight into the current state of and influences on developments with inclusive education. The underlying research considers relevant local and international literature and education policies, and explores the perspectives of a small sample of key policy makers’ from both countries. The findings suggest that inclusive education reforms as they relate to children with special educational needs and disabilities in both countries face some unique and other similar challenges associated with external and internal pressures embedded in historical, political, economic and educational circumstances. The authors argue that democratisation of the inclusive education policy making process and bottom-up grass root developments are essential for a sustainable reform that could go beyond integration and policy rhetoric.

Abstract Judges, prosecutors, attorneys and other court personnel bring their academic training, professional experience, legal diligence and good intentions to their work; they also bring their values, beliefs and opinions. The concept of gender is among those strongly influenced by cultural perspectives and is therefore a potential source of bias, affecting interactions among and between court professionals and court users. This article reflects on the findings of the first research effort aimed at identifying and examining the influence of gender within the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The views and opinions of 161 respondents – judges, prosecutors, attorneys and court associates in BiH – were captured through an anonymous online questionnaire and in-person interviews. Previous scholarship from North America and Europe is used to analyse the findings and to identify gender-related stereotypes and attitudes present within the BiH judiciary. This article concludes by arguing that if the BiH judiciary wishes to deliver fair and impartial justice, judicial reform efforts will need to prioritize gender awareness education and address the issue of gender bias.

This exploratory study aimed to obtain insight into field-level care providers’views on suffering and healing as well as existing obstacles andneeds related to providing care to their clients. This research providesa “snapshot” for a better understanding of existing care systems in twopost-conflict settings. By identifying existing approaches to care andthe needs of the care provider community, this research might be usefulin guiding psychosocial assistance programming in post-conflictsettings. Utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire, 45 care providerswere interviewed, including local health care practitioners, traditional/spiritual healers, and humanitarian relief workers, in Bosnia andHerzegovina and Cambodia. This study found that the majority ofcare providers in both settings perceived poverty and violence as significantcauses and consequences of human suffering and, at the sametime, felt ill-equipped in addressing these issues and related problems.Other issues that hindered these healers in providing care included:limited government/institutional support; lack of training; materialresources and funding. Study findings point to a new framework fordeveloping effective interventions and the need for further emphasison supporting care providers in their work, and most specifically, inidentifying and responding to poverty and violence.

This exploratory study aimed to obtain insight into field-level care providers' views on suffering and healing as well as existing obstacles and needs related to providing care to their clients. This research provides a "snapshot" for a better understanding of existing care systems in two post-conflict settings. By identifying existing approaches to care and the needs of the care provider community, this research might be useful in guiding psychosocial assistance programming in post-conflict settings. Utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire, 45 care providers were interviewed, including local health care practitioners, traditional/ spiritual healers, and humanitarian relief workers, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cambodia. This study found that the majority of care providers in both settings perceived poverty and violence as significant causes and consequences of human suffering and, at the same time, felt ill-equipped in addressing these issues and related problems. Other issues that hindered these healers in providing care included: limited government/institutional support; lack of training; material resources and funding. Study findings point to a new framework for developing effective interventions and the need for further emphasis on supporting care providers in their work, and most specifically, in identifying and responding to poverty and violence.