Peacebuilding in Traumatized Societies

This work examines trauma, identity, security, education, and development as issues of critical importance to peacebuilding and social reconstruction after large-scale violence. This violence takes the form of war, mass-killings, and genocide, as well as structural violence that has humiliated and impoverished millions of people across the globe. Transitional justice, leadership, religion, and the arts are other crucial issues that are included in this analysis of violence and its transformation. The book explores how each issue can be independently addressed for transformational purposes, but argues for their active interdepdendence in order to more effectively help individuals, communities, and societies emerge from violence and begin the rebuilding process. Peacebuilding for Traumatized Societies examines these issues in theoretical and practical terms through case studies and descriptions of training and problem-solving procedures in Rwanda, the Balkans, Colombia, and the Philippines.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction Part 2 I: Theoretical Frameworks Chapter 3 Critical Links between Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing: A Holistic Framework for Fostering Community Development Chapter 4 Managing Memory: Looking to Transitional Justice to Address Trauma Chapter 5 Humiliation, Trauma, and Trauma Recovery in a Globalizing World Chapter 6 Trauma, Identity and Security: How the U.S. Can Recover from 9/11 Using Media Arts and a 3D Approach to Human Security Chapter 7 Peacebuilidng Leadership in Traumatized Societies Part 8 II: Merging Theory and Practice Chapter 9 Psychological Recovery, Reconciliation and the Prevention of New Violence: An Approach and Its Uses in Rwanda Chapter 10 The Contribution of Trauma Healing to Peacebuilding in Southeast Europe Chapter 11 Arts Approaches to Peace: Playing Our Way to Transcendence? Chapter 12 A Post-Genocidal Justic e of Blessing as an Alternative to a Justice of Violence: The Case of Rwanda Chapter 13 The Role of Religious Peacebuilders in Traumatized Societies: From Withdrawl to Forgiveness Part 14 III: Trauma Healing in Croatia, Columbia and Australia Chapter 15 Daring to Dream: Learning about Community Trauma, Accountability and Building the Future in Post-War Forums in Croatia Chapter 16 Opening Space for Healing in Colombia Chapter 17 Healing Trauma among Australia's 'Stolen Generations' Chapter 18 The Way Forward: Policy Development and Implementation Part 19 Index Part 20 Contributors

About the Author :
Barry Hart is associate professor of conflict and trauma Studies, Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University.

Review :
Massive trauma at the hands of others threatens ethnic, national, religious, and ideological large-group identities. Accordingly, traumatized societies, and often those of their descendants, become involved in various societal/political processes in order to protect and maintain their identities. Some of these processes may engender serious resistances to peacebuilding or may even lead to new violence...There is no doubt in my mind that this important book will stimulate new ideas and strategies for dealing with traumatized societies and enrich the peacebuilding field. Case examples from three different societies illustrate the multi-layered dimensions of struggle to recover from individual and community trauma, move forward the social reconstruction processes, and negotiate the demanding path of peacebuilding to break the cycle of violence. Not paying enough attention to the post-conflict needs of communitites has frequently meant a return to violence. This book is an excellent reminder of the kind of work that needs to be undertaken once an agreement has been signed, i.e. the need for justice to be addressed, trauma to be healed, new institutions to be developed, and communities to start on the long road to reconciliation. This work, which is the fruit of many years work in the field by the authors, will be an invaluable resource for those who wish to ensure that their considerations are of the width and depth necessary to ensure sustainable peace.