Human, Holistic, Highly Effective Peacebuilding
IAHV UK runs an international peacebuilding unit that is at the forefront of developing, implementing and advocating an innovative approach to psychosocial peacebuilding. Integrating mental health and psycho social support into peacebuilding is increasingly recognised as an essential missing link in achieving impactful and sustainable Peacebuilding.
IAHV’s approach to psychosocial peacebuilding explained:
Overview
IAHV Peacebuilding Programmes effectively transform the mindsets, attitudes, wellbeing and behaviour of individuals and communities engaged in or affected by conflict and violence.
Cooperating with other organisations in a holistic approach, IAHV lays a strong psycho-social foundation in which other peace and development efforts can take root.
Supplying this missing link in peacebuilding, we turn personal transformation into greater peacebuilding impact.
Approach
Our human-centred approach lends itself to working across sectors and populations, including international organisations (UN, EU, World Bank), governments, managers and CEO’s, social and community workers, women’s groups, religious leaders, refugees, victims of violence, youth, terrorists and rebels, prisoners and children, bridging religious, ethnic and social divides. Together with our sister organisation, the Art of Living Foundation, our programs have reached over 20 million people in 150 countries.
Recognising that no peace can become sustainable as long as it is not internalised and socially supported by the people, IAHV focuses on strengthening a fertile psycho social foundation for sustainable peace. On the personal level we transform the mindsets, attitudes, behaviour and wellbeing of individuals and communities involved in or affected by conflict and violence.
“It was as if a wave of positivity had entered my life. My days weren’t always happy, sometimes I smile , but most days I just don’t. Now I am smiling all the time, especially after applying the techniques given to me by the trainers….. It’s really amazing”
Participant from Stress relief and Resilience Workshop for Syrian and Jordanian children
This holistic approach to personal transformation addresses the entire person from the physical to deeply existential layers, transcending the strictly cognitive, thus restoring peace at every level. Our programmes are human, life affirming and empowering. Healed and empowered, individuals can play a positive peace enhancing role in their families, communities, institutions and all sectors of society.
Programmes
Given this expertise, the IAHV Peacebuilding Programme focuses on the following areas:
(1) Trauma Relief, Resilience and Empowerment;
(2) Preventing and Transforming Violent Extremism – Nonviolent Empowerment of Youth
(3) Bridging Divided Communities, Dialogue and Reconciliation;
(4) Reintegration and Rehabilitation of combatants and fighters
(5) Training Professional Peacebuilding and Development Agencies.
Impact
IAHV’s proven track record includes efforts to provide rehabilitation of victims as well as perpetrators, re- integration of ex -combatants, youth leadership and women’s empowerment training, prevention of radicalisation and leadership development initiatives in areas beset by conflict, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kosovo, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, Israel- Palestine, India and South Africa.
Evidence of IAHV’s holistic programmes include significant and sustainable reduction in PTS symptoms of US army war veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan; significant reduction in PTS, anxiety and depression among survivors of the tsunami in 2003; a 30% reduction of violent incidents in several Los Angeles juvenile detention centres; reconciliation among warring tribes in Ivory Coast; prevention and renunciation of violence by thousands of militants and terrorists in India; and an 85% suicide reduction rate in Kosovo prisons over 2 years .
Recent Projects
- Healing, Resilience and Nonviolent Empowerment for War-Affected Children in Lebanon and Jordan
https://www.iahv-peace.org/jordan_lebanon/about-this-project/
“After IAHV’s programmes I feel our lives are safe now.”
“You changed the mentality of our community. Now there is brotherhood.”
“I was forced to live before, but now I live because life is beautiful.”
“I have never seen such a stress relief….” “There is less bullying now. This change is very rare in the camp.”
Hear, watch and read the live experiences of thousands of vulnerable and war-affected children from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan who have found healing, resilience and empowerment through IAHV’s work. Learn about the peacebuilding projects that the Youth Peace Ambassadors are implementing to reduce violence in their lives and communities, the empowerment and aspirations of the new local IAHV trainers, the reductions in PTSD, depression and sleeping problems, IAHV’s innovative community-based approach and much more…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TPlTkPKHjg
- Healing, Resilience and Empowerment of refugees and traumatised communities in Europe, Middle East and South Africa
IAHV UK is at the forefront of global capacity building to provide stress relief and resilience workshops to individuals and communities under severe stress, such as refugees across the globe, as well as survivors of terrorist attacks, domestic violence, crime, floods, earthquakes, bushfires, and communities struggling with intergenerational violence. We have trained teams in Germany, UK, South Africa, Australia, Lebanon, Jordan, Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands and others.
Link to the Peacebuilding site www.iahv-peace.org
For more information please contact: info@iahv-peace.org
To get involved or donate: https://www.iahv-peace.org/get-involved/