Trauma healing interventions and peacebuilding
a case study of NGOs projects in Rwanda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22456/2178-8839.143640Keywords:
Collective Trauma; Societal Healing; Peacebuilding; Violence; Rwanda.Abstract
This article analyzed trauma healing interventions in post-conflict peacebuilding. After a conflict or a genocide, an individual who experienced a violent event could become traumatized. When trauma affects simultaneously several people, collective trauma is originated. This unhealed trauma may result in psychological disorders. To illustrate this scenario, Rwanda was chosen as the case study; in 1994, a genocide happened in the country, and 30 years later, this violent incident still negatively affects its citizens. The aim of this research was to investigate trauma healing and reconciliation programs in Rwanda, to demonstrate their importance for the society and the peacebuilding. It is relevant because these processes ensure the non-recurrence of violence and the consolidation of sustainable peace, as seen in the trauma literature. Through an analytical framework and a qualitative research method two societal healing projects were analyzed: one by the Rwandan NGO Never Again Rwanda, and another by the American NGO Karuna Center for Peacebuilding. As a final result, these interventions helped to mitigate the impact of trauma on the citizens and strengthened reconciliation through collective initiatives. Demonstrating the importance and effectiveness of trauma healing interventions.
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Accepted 2025-02-27
Published 2025-03-31
