We go into conflict afflicted areas armed with a vast wealth of knowledge, and a full quiver of tools and models—the best that years of experience, study, and reflection have to offer.
Yet, inevitably, we find ourselves bumping up against an invisible wall. A barrier. Something that is holding progress up. Something that makes moving forward nearly impossible. More and more, we are finding that barrier comes from the residual, unaddressed trauma, inherent in every conflict.
However, as we unlock the causes and effects of trauma, it is becoming crystal clear that we are opening new frontiers in addressing — and possibly unraveling —the web of pain and suffering that often manifests itself as conflict— conflict that sometimes spans generations.
I myself have worked in the rule of law field for more than 14 years, working to strengthen justice systems overseas. And during that time, I know I have come into contact with that wall.
No matter how well intentioned and how solid our plans are to strengthen justice and security in countries emerging from conflict — finding lasting solutions is never as simple as we would hope. And it is in the process of trying to unravel trauma, you inevitably take on some of it yourself.
So this event was conceived, with the hope that the better we understand the issues of trauma and its effect on attempts to build rule of law, that we can be better equipped to build peace, both within ourselves, and in the communities in which we work.”
To that end, I would like to share details of the event, with links to the video of the event and a news summary.
Trauma Resilience as a Keystone to Building the Rule of Law in Conflict-Affected Societies
9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – Understanding Trauma and its Impacts on Building the Rule of Law in Transitional States & Innovative Approaches to Fostering Trauma Resilience
- Elaine Zook Barge, panelist
Director, Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR)
Eastern Mennonite University - Louise Diamond, Ph.D., panelist
Founder and Director, Global Systems Initiatives
Co-Founder, The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy - COL Walter E. Piatt, panelist
Commandant, U. S. Army Infantry School, U. S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, Georgia - Beatrice Pouligny, Ph.D., panelist
Former USIP grantee and co-editor of grant book “After Mass Crimes: Rebuilding States and Communities”
Visiting Faculty at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University - Elizabeth Stanley, Ph.D., panelist
Associate Professor of Security Studies at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Georgetown University
Founder of the Mind Fitness Training Institute - Colette Rausch, moderator
Director, Rule of Law Center
United States Institute of Peace - John Lancaster, welcome address
Board Member
United States Institute of Peace
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Trauma and its Impacts on Building the Rule of Law in Libya
- Wail A Y Nagem, panelist
Deputy Minister of Justice
Government of Libya - Essam Gheriani, panelist
Psychologist and head of Mental Health Cluster (Benghazi) - Najla Elmangoush, panelist
Program Specialist
United States Institute of Peace
- Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., panelist
Professor of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biomedical Studies
Baylor University - Vivienne O’Connor, moderator
Senior Rule of Law Program Officer
United States Institute of Peace - Read the bios of all the presenters
Explore Further
- View a video recording of the event: Panel One & Panel Two
- Read the News Feature about the event.
- Read about USIP’s efforts in Libya
- Read the Olive Branch blog post, “On the Ground in Libya: How PTSD Affects Rule of Law,” by Vivienne O’Connor
- Read the In the Field feature, “Window Shopping: How a Wedding Gown Frames the Libyan Future,” by Colette Rausch
- Read the Special Report, “Trauma and Transitional Justice in Divided Societies,” by Judy Barsalou
- Read the News Feature, “Debating Federalism in Libya,” by Jason Gluck
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