Innovating

Global Peacebuilding: Title: Psychosocial Support with

communities affected by armed conflict: A Libyan Case Study

Speaker: Helen Tanner LLB PgDIp DTh MA Rotary Peace Fellow

November 2015

Abstract for the Conference: Innovating Global Peacebuilding

Breakout Session: Peace Conflict & Health

Speaker: Helen Tanner LLB PgDip DTH MA

Title: Psychosocial Support with communities affected by armed conflict: A Libyan Case Study

Civilians are increasingly targeted in armed conflicts worldwide. In conflict situations peoples lives
are massively disrupted; normal routines, roles, and support systems are stretched and
sometimes break down altogether. Displacement and loss are commonplace, and families are
often separated. Children and people previously protected within the family and community
networks are now vulnerable and exposed. A knock on effect to this breakdown and displacement
is the inability for people to access services, including spiritual and cultural practices, which
previously may have provided meaning in life as well as an invaluable support mechanism. As the
medias attention on particular conflicts drifts out of view, the re-building of shattered lives begin.
Psychosocial Support as a specialism is gaining in understanding and importance in the field of
Peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. This is in part due to the increasing recognition of
the link between ones inner world of feelings, thoughts and memories, and ones engagement in
conflict. But additionally, there is a recognition that people need to be at the centre of
programming for the most sustainable results. To put people at the centre means we need to take
into account not only their material and physical wellbeing but also their mental, emotional, and
spiritual wellbeing (psycho). We need to take into account not only individuals as though they exist
in isolation, but also of people in their social world of family and community (social). The
community provides a context, and environment to support individuals and families to function
well, and is a key resource for an affected population. A key role of Psychosocial Support is to
strengthen the fabric of the community and the family, and to build on the strengths and capacities
of individuals.
Case Study: In January 2013 Helen began her position as Psychosocial Support Manager with
Danish Church Aid Mine Action Programme in Misurata, Libya. For eighteen months the
Psychosocial Support team ran a psychosocial programme in 28 schools, in partnership with the
Libyan Ministry of Education. Activities included Leadership Training for 16-18 year olds, Sports
Projects, Creative Projects, Film and Media training, an Art of Peace Competition and Mine Risk
Awareness events. There were many challenges to implementing the programmes in Libya at that
time, and many lessons learned. There were also many positive outcomes expressed by the
children, families and schools including: Improved psychological wellbeing, more peaceful
behaviour in school, improved relationships, newly developed skills and talents, and improved
engagement and attendance in school following the disruption of the conflict. The Psychosocial
Project in Libya is now being delivered through local partners, with on-going support, following a
re-sumption to conflict, which continues to affect the stability and peace of the country.
As the world continues to change, and the nature of armed conflict shifts its focus, Peacebuilding
activities must respond to the complex needs of communities. In order to do this, we
Peacebuilders must work together: Academics, Practitioners, Scientists, Humanitarians,
Politicians, Fieldworkers, Teachers, Engineers, Artists and Anthropologists. We are being called to
stand together, and to take a holistic and sustainable approach to the very real challenges which
stand before us. The effort it takes is worth it, as stone by stone we lay the foundations for a more
hopeful, positive, and peaceful world together.