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Peacebuilding in Traumatized Societies

Barry Hart editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University Press of America

Published:26th Feb '08

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Peacebuilding in Traumatized Societies cover

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.

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. -- Vamik D. Volkan
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. -- Dean Ajdukovic
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. -- Mari Fitzduff, Professor and Director of Masters Program in Coexistence and Conflict, Brandeis University

ISBN: 9780761840350

Dimensions: 230mm x 153mm x 27mm

Weight: 535g

362 pages