The role of research in building and strengthening resilience

Building and strengthening resilience in any country or society requires research-based interventions that drive real change. This resonates best in Rwanda, a country that experienced the most horrible crimes of the Genocide against the Tutsi three decades ago.

In June 2024, Interpeace partnered with Resilio - International Association for the Promotion and Dissemination of Resilience Research, the University of Rwanda, the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, and local peacebuilding organizations to organise the 6th World Congress on Resilience, held in Kigali, Rwanda.

Themed “Resilience and Trauma: Conceptual Development, Challenges, and Perspectives,” this international gathering brought together more than 350 participants, including researchers, practitioners, academics, university students, peacebuilders, as well as policymakers from across the globe who are involved in the field of trauma healing and resilience.

Featuring scientific papers and oral presentations, poster sessions with presentations from researchers, video screenings, as well as panel discussions, the congress provided participants with the opportunity to deepen their discussions on the role of research in fostering trauma healing, strengthening resilience, and peacebuilding.

In joint opening remarks, the Chair of Resilio, Prof. Eugene Rutembesa, and Co-chair, Prof. Colette Jourdan-Ionescu, stressed the importance of organizing the congress in Rwanda, which is located in Africa’s Great Lakes region that has been experiencing violent armed conflicts and insecurity for decades.

“This congress will allow researchers from around the world, especially those from the Great Lakes region, which has been experiencing protracted political and ethnic violence, to better understand and discuss the ability to resist destruction, to preserve integrity, and to build the resilience of those people undergoing extreme suffering.”

Speaking as a Guest of Honor, Jean Damascene Bizimana, Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), underscored the level of resilience Rwanda has achieved 30 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi and commended the role of research in that journey. He also recognised that the discussions and deliberations of the congress would enable concerned actors to continue developing evidence-based programming.

“This event testifies to the importance of research and multi-stakeholder collaboration to help us further our understanding of resilience. It will also help all stakeholders across the globe to develop fact-based initiatives to continue strengthening the resilience of populations at all levels.”

The 6th World Congress on Resilience was an opportune occasion for Interpeace to showcase its work and holistic approach that have significantly contributed to strengthening the resilience of Rwandans.

Evidence-generation to strengthen resilience

At the world congress, Interpeace presented the findings of the resilience assessment framework titled: “A Community-Based Participatory Framework for the Assessment of Resilience in Rwanda,” conducted in collaboration with MINUBUMWE. Involving a significant sample of 7,481 individuals, the study evaluated resilience across four levels—individual, household, community, and institutional—using a comprehensive set of 38 indicators.

The findings underscored a commendable degree of resilience across all assessed levels, demonstrating a significant milestone three decades after the Genocide against the Tutsi. The study recommended the need for intensified efforts in societal healing initiatives to sustain the gain in healing and resilience. The Framework for the Assessment of Resilience stands as a landmark initiative and a foundational reference for future studies in the field of resilience within the country.

Interpeace also presented the findings of its Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) conducted to assess the effectiveness of its two interventions, namely Resilience-Oriented Therapy and Multifamily Healing Spaces, both of which are being implemented in the community to strengthen resilience at the individual and family levels, respectively.

Findings revealed that Multifamily Healing Spaces are effective in addressing the intergenerational transmission of genocide legacies, resolving intra- and inter-family conflicts, promoting positive parenting, and improving family communication and cohesiveness.

Resilience-oriented therapy has been proven effective for emotional regulation, behavioral self-management, and identity development. The results indicated an increase in psychological resilience by 15%, a decrease in depression by 64%, and a decrease in anxiety by 53% among the Resilience-oriented therapy treatment cohort. Implemented at the Health Centre level, the approach helps to address cultural barriers associated with the one-on-one approach usually implemented across the country and makes mental health services more accessible to more people in need.

Minister Bizimana commended the group-based approaches in building the capacity of individuals for resilience. “The Resilience-oriented therapy has proven to be particularly effective. Findings are not only commendable but also serve as a model for other communities around the world’” stated Hon. Bizimana.

In Rwanda, Interpeace and its local partners implement a holistic approach to peacebuilding and resilience strengthening. Watch the video below to further understand the unique and innovative approach that has driven positive change in societal healing in Rwanda.

Societal Healing Programme in Rwanda - Brochure

 


In Rwanda, Interpeace collaborates with the government and non-governmental actors to implement a comprehensive societal healing initiative that encompasses mental health and psychosocial support, social cohesion, and the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners, while also promoting collaborative livelihoods. This program addresses the latent psychological scars left by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including the heightened prevalence of mental health disorders as identified in the Rwanda Mental Health Survey (2018). This brochure provides an overview of the programme’s interventions and methodologies, as well as the significant impact they are generating at the individual, community, and national levels.

A Community-based Participatory Framework for the Assessment of Resilience in Rwanda

Three decades after the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda continues to navigate the complexities of rebuilding the social fabric and strengthen resilience of its population. The Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), in collaboration with Interpeace has released a new research titled: A Community-based Participatory Framework for the Assessment of Resilience in Rwanda. The objective of this study, conducted across all 30 districts of Rwanda, was fourfold. Firstly, it aimed to formulate and validate resilience indicators for structuring future research activities, policies, and programmes related to community resilience in Rwanda. Secondly, it sought to devise a participatory, multi-level methodology for assessing resilience indicators, drawing from existing frameworks, while tailoring them to Rwanda's specific context. Additionally, the study aimed to establish a baseline for community resilience across all districts of Rwanda and to propose actionable policy and programmatic recommendations for enhancing resilience nationwide.

Involving a significant sample of 7,481 individuals, the study adopted a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods. Resilience was evaluated across four levels—individual, household, community, and institutional—using a comprehensive set of 38 indicators.

The findings underscored a commendable degree of resilience across all assessed levels, demonstrating a significant milestone three decades after the Genocide against the Tutsi. Recommendations emphasised the need for intensified efforts in societal healing initiatives, infrastructure development, and facilitating access to finance and employment opportunities.

Read the Executive Summary here.

Rwanda: new findings and protocols to improve mental health and social cohesion

Studies show a high prevalence of mental health disorders in Rwanda. This imprint of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi has made reconciliation and societal healing difficult. During a hybrid conference in the capital Kigali, on 2 September 2021, Interpeace and partners presented findings from baseline research carried out on mental health and societal healing in Bugesera District.

The conference was organised by Interpeace, in partnership with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) and Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR). It was supported by the European Union (EU) through its embassy in Rwanda.

During the event, participants also discussed the development of several protocols, informed by this baseline survey, to assess ongoing efforts and intervene on issues related to mental health, social cohesion, and sustainable livelihoods in Rwanda.

Since the genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has gone through 27 years of sustained development and growth. However, the country continues to grapple with significant mental health challenges. A considerable  proportion of the Rwandan population lives with trauma linked to the genocide against the Tutsi.

“My mother is always lonely. When I ask her a question about what happened during the genocide, she immediately goes to the room and cries, and I feel sad because there is nothing I can do to help her feel better,” said one participant of the baseline study.

This is exacerbated by psychological and socioeconomic distress which have contributed to disrupt social cohesion. These prevailing mental health conditions have made it difficult to rebuild trust and reconcile people in Rwanda.

“Bugesera has suffered a lot from the genocide against the Tutsi. Traumatised people have difficulties to forgive and trust each other, and to embrace development and sustainable livelihoods,” said Richard Mutabazi, Mayor of Bugesera District.

However, the government of Rwanda and local civil society organisations have already made significant investment and progress towards trauma healing, social cohesion and improving livelihoods. To support these ongoing efforts, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Prison Fellowship Rwanda and Interpeace started implementing the pilot phase of a societal healing programme in Bugesera District, which was the hardest hit by the genocide against the Tutsi. This baseline study on mental health and societal healing was part of this programme, launched in October 2020.

“We wanted to assess the current state of communities in Bugesera District, in relation to mental health, social cohesion and collaborative livelihoods, and then use the data as a basis to develop intervention protocols for the district and beyond,” explained Frank Kayitare, Interpeace Rwanda and Great Lakes Representative. He added: “We have gained invaluable input from government and non-governmental organisations. These inputs have made our programme more responsive; allowing for a potentially more resilient outcome.”

The presentation of this study’s results at the conference, on 2 September, marked the completion of the first stage of this pilot programme, known as ‘’Reinforcing community capacity for social cohesion and reconciliation through societal trauma healing in Bugesera District’’.

“We are very happy to see this project come to fruition after multiple discussions that started on this very important topic between Interpeace, the government, the EU and other partners over a year ago,” said H.E Nicola Bellomo, EU Ambassador in Rwanda.

The mental health challenge in Rwanda is multidimensional. Lack of remorse and forgiveness, impunity, and poverty were all cited in the research as factors that underlie mistrust between social groups. Another important aspect revealed by the study was the challenge to successful reintegration of convicted genocide perpetrators who have completed their prison term. Specifically, it was found that reintegration is very often an extremely challenging experience, for the former perpetrators but also for the communities receiving them. Issues of social stigma, rejection by the family, and inability to sustain livelihoods were most frequently reported among released ex-prisoners. These social challenges faced by ex-prisoners compound problems caused by a long period of incarceration, which include loss of social and professional identity, erosion of family relationships and emotional expression, and loss of hope in the future.

“Challenges at community level are not only one-dimensional and require collaborative effort. What is happening in Rwanda is a ground-breaking and shining example. We should think of scalability of these initiatives for a better outcome,”, said Dr Theo Hollander, Senior Regional Representative for Eastern and Central Africa at Interpeace.

In terms of livelihoods, the baseline survey revealed evidence of economic hardship. People struggle to survive as well as they can in adverse circumstances. A key challenge that emerged from the study is low agricultural production contributing to food insecurity. Reliance on rain-fed farming, insufficient access to irrigable land, limited use of fertilizers, and limited ownership of livestock, all contribute to this challenge. Residents inevitably rely on markets to supplement their food supplies, which in turn pushes young people into menial labour roles in order to generate the required cashflow, reducing their availability to participate in education and training. Vocational skills were found to be lacking in the district, with the vast majority of respondents reporting that their only vocational skill is farming with basic tools.

“Our goal in Rwanda is to develop comprehensive interventions, blend Rwandan home-grown solutions with international best practices and utilize multiple types of evidence to improve mental health,” said Ntwali Jean Paul, Deputy Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Rwanda.

The study additionally assessed gender and youth perspectives and dynamics in terms of mental health, family relations, prisoner reintegration, and livelihoods. The study found that women in Bugesera district were deeply affected by the genocide, through various direct and indirect pathways. Regarding mental health, the study found that more women than men reported problems with anxiety and depression. With respect to the inter-generational transmission of genocide legacies, the study identified two major challenges for young people; the first is growing up in a family in which the parents suffer from extensive psychosocial issues due to their traumatic experiences, to the extent that it undermines their capacity as parents. The second is the difficulty for parents to discuss events and experiences that often cause their children to feel confused, angry, or insecure.

“Mental health is crucial to advance social cohesion in Rwanda. Teams from Interpeace Rwanda, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the Ministry of Health and Prison Fellowship Rwanda have been supporting Rwandans and the government to address these mental health challenges and trauma and we are committed to do more with our partners,” said Scott Weber, President of Interpeace.

The results of the baseline survey have informed the development of several new protocols for assessment and intervention, which will guide further efforts related to mental health, social cohesion, and sustainable livelihoods in Rwanda. The set of protocols included a holistic mental health and psychosocial care intervention combining Rwandan home-grown solutions with international best practices. Specifically, the screening protocols aimed to assess the community population and assign participants in interventions, based on their individualized needs. Among other developed protocols, there is a resilience-oriented therapy protocol and socioemotional skills curriculum for mental health care; multi-family healing space and adaptations on the sociotherapy protocols for social cohesion; prisoners’ risk and resilience assessment and prisoners’ rehabilitation protocols and reintegration roadmap; as well as collaborative livelihoods protocol to guide the community-based enterprises development.

Please follow this link and listen to the conference recording: https://spoti.fi/3zOnMod

Our societal healing programme in Rwanda enhances capacities of communities through an innovative and holistic approach to expand investment in mental health, address trauma and advance social cohesion. The programme is funded by the EU through its instrument contributing to stability and peace (IcSP).

Côte d’Ivoire : la jeunesse mobilisée contre la violence politique

La Côte d’Ivoire est entrée en 2020 dans un nouveau cycle électoral marqué par des confrontations intra- et intercommunautaires. Alors que les trois quarts de la population ont moins de 35 ans, les jeunes sont souvent stigmatisés et perçus comme étant responsables ou associés à de la violence politique. Pour changer cette vision et contribuer à la mise en œuvre de l’agenda Jeunes, paix et sécurité, Interpeace et son partenaire Indigo Côte d’Ivoire ont lancé un projet visant à améliorer leur participation en tant qu’acteurs et leaders dans la consolidation de la paix et la prévention des violences politiques. Le Livre blanc rassemblant les résultats et bonnes pratiques tirées de cette action a été présenté le 7 septembre 2021 à Abidjan.

En période électorale, un marketing politique polarisant et manipulateur des identités est fréquemment employé par les acteurs politiques ivoiriens de tous bords pour mobiliser leurs électeurs. Cela génère des tensions entre groupes ethniques et religieux, et entretient un climat de défiance et de contestation des résultats électoraux qui peuvent dégénérer en violences intercommunautaires. En 2020, près de 80 personnes ont ainsi trouvé la mort à travers le pays dans des affrontements liés aux élections présidentielles. La participation des jeunes à ces conflits est souvent montrée du doigt par les acteurs locaux, nationaux et internationaux, qui les désignent comme des acteurs « à risque » vulnérables et facilement manipulables. Ces discours ont pour effet de stigmatiser et marginaliser la majorité silencieuse des jeunes hommes et femmes qui restent en dehors des processus de violence, et de déprécier les efforts de celles et ceux qui s’engagent activement au quotidien pour la paix et la cohésion sociale.

C’est également le constat fait par la résolution historique 2250 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies en 2015, qui appelait tous les acteurs concernés à augmenter la représentation et la participation inclusive, effective et réelle des jeunes dans les efforts de consolidation de la paix. C’est dans cet esprit qu’a été conçu le projet « YPS en pratique : auto-analyse et renforcement du leadership des jeunes dans la prévention de la violence politique en Côte d’Ivoire », une action de consolidation de la paix dont les jeunes n’étaient pas les bénéficiaires mais les protagonistes à part entière. En choisissant de sélectionner et d’accompagner des initiatives de jeunes agissant déjà pour la paix et la cohésion sociale, Interpeace et Indigo Côte d’Ivoire ont fait le pari de miser sur la résilience et l’engagement citoyen de ces personnes dans deux quartiers réputés sensibles d’Abidjan, Yopougon et Abobo.

« En Côte d’Ivoire, plusieurs associations de jeunes et de femmes œuvrent activement pour la promotion de la cohésion sociale à travers des initiatives. Cependant, l’implication de cette jeunesse dans les violences électorales et les conflits intercommunautaires, ainsi que la jeunesse radicalisée perpétue une image négative des jeunes », dit Bakary Sidibe, conseiller technique du ministre de la Promotion de la jeunesse, de l'insertion professionnelle et du service civique. « Pour changer ce paradigme et impliquer les jeunes dans les actions de paix et de sécurité, il apparaît nécessaire de guider cette jeunesse et renforcer ses capacités à la mise en œuvre de projets de consolidation de la paix ».

Dans le cadre du projet « YPS en pratique »,  une quarantaine de jeunes leaders œuvrant déjà pour la paix et la cohésion sociale dans leurs quartiers ont été sélectionnés. Après des séances de renforcement de capacités en analyse de conflit et gestion de projets, les jeunes hommes et femmes accompagnés par Indigo Côte d’Ivoire et Interpeace ont conçu et mis en œuvre leurs propres projets de consolidation de la paix et de prévention de la violence électorale à Abobo et Yopougon. Les résultats et bonnes pratiques à répliquer pour mettre les jeunes « au volant » des actions de paix et sécurité ont été rassemblés dans un Livre blanc. Celui-ci a été présenté le 7 septembre à Abidjan devant des représentants de ministères, municipalités, agences des Nations Unies, ambassades, ONG nationales et internationales et autres partenaires techniques et financiers.

En accompagnant ces jeunes, le projet a testé des moyens et outils pour améliorer leur esprit d’analyse, leur stratégie, leur impact et leur collaboration. Lors de l’événement, les participants ont partagé leurs impressions sur les résultats du projet.

"Avant l'arrivée d’Indigo, j’étais membre d'une ONG mais je ne me suis jamais dit que j’allais m’engager devant des gens ou être responsable d’un mouvement. Aujourd’hui, avec toutes les formations, je suis la coordonnatrice d’une plateforme de 40 initiatives au niveau de Yopougon", a dit Kiteni, de l’organisation de l’association des jeunes Tchêlê Woyê.

Ils ont également présenté le travail qu’ils menaient dans leurs communautés. Des jeunes femmes ont formé des ambassadeurs de paix, dont la mission était de sensibiliser leur entourage à la bonne entente entre communautés et d’alerter en cas d’incidents pour permettre la prévention des violences par le dialogue ou la mobilisation des autorités. Une autre initiative a formé des jeunes à la vérification des informations circulant sur les réseaux sociaux pour endiguer le phénomène des rumeurs et fausses nouvelles qui concourent à un climat de tensions et de violence. D’autres ont travaillé à rapprocher des personnes issues de secteurs, religions ou ethnies différents qui ne se fréquentaient pas ou étaient en conflit, à travers des dialogues et des activités d’intérêt général.

« Notre projet a associé toutes les parties prenantes [à un conflit opposant deux quartiers depuis la dernière crise socio-politique]. On a trouvé des solutions pour metre en place un climat paisible. Les populations ont donné elles-mêmes les solutions. Nous avons organsié un match de foot avec deux équipes mixtes des deux quartiers. Les équipes étaient mélangées et il n’y a pas eu de palabre [dispute] à la fin. » a dit Mariama, de l’initiative Jeunesse Unie pour le Développement.

Tous ont ouvert des espaces de discussion permettant aux personnes consultées de parler de leurs perceptions de la paix et de la sécurité dans le quartier, des traumatismes subis pendant les dernières crises, de l’état des relations avec les groupes opposés. Ces espaces de discussion ont souvent permis de réunir et créer un dialogue entre des groupes de personnes qui ne se parlaient jamais bien qu’habitant au même endroit. En adressant les divisions sociopolitiques, religieuses et ethniques dans leurs quartiers, les jeunes leaders ont également participé à la prévention des violence électorales qui pourraient survenir lors de prochaines échéances électorales.

"Lors du phénomènre de circulation des fausses nouvelles, au lieu de bruler les marchandises des Haoussas, [les participants de notre projet] les ont protégés des agressions dans le quartier. " raconte Kiteni, de l’organisation de l’association des jeunes Tchêlê Woyê, en référence à un épisode de violence intercommunautaire survenu le 5 mai à Abobo et Yopougon après la diffusion d’une fausse vidéo. Cette dernière prétendait montrer des Nigériens s’attaquant à leurs voisins Ivoiriens et incitait les habitants d’Abidjan à se venger.

Grâce au projet YPS, les initiatives ont pu prendre conscience du rôle qu’elles avaient à jouer pour la paix, renforcer leurs capacités pour concevoir et mettre en œuvres des actions stratégiques et inclusives, et les communiquer à des décideurs locaux, nationaux et internationaux. A travers toutes ces actions, ces jeunes leaders ont montré que la jeunesse a la capacité d’agir pour la paix et la sécurité.

Citant l’ancien président américain John F. Kennedy, Jean-Luc, membre de l’association Young Ivoirian Promoters of English a ainsi conclu la présentation des résultats du projet en disant : « Ne vous demandez pas ce que votre pays peut faire pour vous, mais demandez-vous ce que vous pouvez faire pour votre pays ».

En Côte d’Ivoire comme ailleurs, les jeunes ont  la volonté et le potentiel pour contribuer à la paix et stabilité dans leur pays. Il revient au grand public, aux acteurs nationaux et internationaux de reconnaître leur rôle important dans la construction de la paix durable et de leur donner des outils de participation dans la prise de décisions politiques et sécuritaires.

Together for Peace

 

"There is no peace without development and growth, and there is no economic growth when there is no peace." To unlock the potential for growth and development for nearly 1/3 of the population, investment in peacebuilding is crucial. Despite the need, there is limited investment in this area. This is a gap Mirabaud understood, and what has now become the heart of the relationship and the journey together with Interpeace for more than 10 years.

Peace processes fail because solutions are imported or imposed. Therefore building lasting sustainable peace means that communities develop resilience - their own capacity to handle the challenges of today and tomorrow.