The Coalition for Work With Psychotrauma and Peace

 What and How

Full Texts:

Our  Mandate     History of the CWWPP     Profile of Trauma     Complex Rehabilitation

Profile of the Region

To read the paper on the CWWPP presented in September, 2003 at the RIREC Conference at Notre Dame University, click here.

To read a brochure about the CWWPP written in February, 2003, click here.

In Brief:

What the CWWPP Does and How

Psychological traumatization is at very high levels throughout the region in which the CWWPP works.  Traumatization has been ignored an important component of conflict transformation and democratization.  The CWWPP trains non-professionals and professionals in trauma, non-violent conflict resolution and civil society and carries out a limited amount of treatment.

The CWWPP works at the level of the individual, the family, the group, the community and the society. We believe in long-term integrated programs that include good assessment and evaluation.  We see research as an important component of our work.  We work with all ethnic and religious groups within the society.

The Mandate of the Coalition for Work With Psychotrauma and Peace

The mandate of the Coalition for Work With Psychotrauma and Peace (CWWPP) is the empowerment of people in transitional countries during or after armed conflict or with the potential for such conflict to take control of their own lives, particularly at grassroots level.

The CWWPP believes in creating conditions for positive peace, as expressed by such workers as Prof. Emeritus Adam Curle of the University of Bradford, Prof. Johann Galtung of Oslo, Prof. Annemiek Richters of the University of Leiden and others.

The History of the Coalition for Work With Psychotrauma and Peace

The Coalition for Work was formed informally in 1994 and was registered as a non-profit non-governmental organization in The Netherlands in 1997.  It is also registered as the branch of a foreign organization in Croatia.  Since 1995, the organization has worked in some 30 locations in eastern Croatia, northern Bosnia and western Vojvodina (Serbia).  For a more complete history of the CWWPP, click here.

A Profile of Psychological Trauma

Psychological trauma is almost universally present in the area in which the CWWPP works.  The symptoms are many and varied, and there are severe consequences for physical health.  There are also consequences for the economic redevelopment of the region and for conflict resolution and reconciliation.  To read more, click here.

The Strategy of Complex Rehabilitation

The Strategy of Complex Rehabilitation is an integrated long-term approach to the problems of areas that are in conflict, that have had conflict recently or where conflict threatens.  It empowers local groups and encourages all parts of the community to work together at the levels of the individual, the family, the group, the community and the society.  Click here to read more about the Strategy of Complex Rehabilitation.

A Profile of the Region

The region in which we work includes eastern Croatia, northern Bosnia and western Serbia (part of the Vojvodina Province).  Before the War, people of more than 25 ethnicities and 10 religions lived there.  There are many people of mixed parentage.  The area was rich in agriculture and industry.  Now, there is devastation and high unemployment.  To read more, click here.