Conflict is one of the defining features of the modern world. Since the end of the Cold War, there have been countless conflicts that have involved the deaths of millions of people and the suffering and displacement of millions of people and even more. It is impossible to accurately quantify human suffering due to conflict.
To take one indicator; it has been suggested that, in the last ten years, over two million children have died in conflicts, more than one million have been orphaned and more than six millions have been disabled or seriously injured. Wars have had an important part in psychiatric history in several ways, among the consequences of conflict and wars; the impact on the mental health of the civilian population is one of the most significant.
Women are mostly affected than men; other vulnerable groups are children, the elderly and the disabled. These are associated with the degree of trauma and the availability of physical and psychological support being linked, war adversely afflicts combatants and non-combatant alike, both physically and emotionally, death, injury, sexual violence, malnutrition, illness and disability are some of the most threatening physical consequences of war, while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety is some emotional effect. The terrors and horror spread by the violence of war disrupts lives and severs relationships and families, leaving individuals and communities distressed.
The use of peace journalism could be coping strategies in countries witnessing conflicts, every day the media brings the horrors of wars and conflict on the television, war leaves a traumatic mark on the mental health and minds of many. Many terrorist target civilians by damaging hospitals, schools etc. while the scars of the holocaust are still scorching, and its memory are still fading.
War and terrorism have a long-lasting effect on a huge number of persons. Deaths at the time of conflict are just one element of: psychological trauma, displacement of people injury, diseases, and decline in economic and physical infrastructure. Violence is infectious; children exposed to it are more likely to grow up to be perpetrators or victims of violence themselves, the pernicious cycle can result in families and communities suffering violence for generations to come.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The horrors of conflicts: the wounds of the mind, will they heal?
3. Peace journalism (kids are watching too)
4. Peace journalism: “through the lens of a camera”- Fati Abubarkar
5. Peace journalism: art works by Al-Shami “the Syria bansky”
6. Trauma healing
6.1 a) Trauma healing techniques: a survivor-centered approach to transition
6.2 b) Herman’s trauma healing strategies: sar (safety, acknowledgement, and reconnection)
6.3 c) The health bridges to peace project
6.4 d) Community-based interventions
7. Cultivating a culture of peace: the secret of peace is us
8. Conclusion
Objectives & Core Topics
The primary aim of this work is to examine the profound psychological and physical consequences of modern armed conflicts on civilians, with a specific focus on the vulnerability of children and the necessity for therapeutic intervention and peace-oriented journalism. The author explores how trauma manifests in diverse conflict-affected regions and advocates for strategies that move beyond mere conflict reporting toward humanitarian and healing-focused practices.
- The lasting psychological impact of war on children and non-combatant populations.
- The potential of peace journalism as a remedy to traditional conflict reporting.
- Case studies on the abduction and survival of the Chibok girls and child soldiers.
- Therapeutic approaches to trauma, including Herman’s "sar" strategy.
- The importance of cultivating a enduring culture of peace through individual and societal participation.
Excerpt from the Book
The horrors of conflicts: the wounds of the mind, will they heal?
In response to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2011, Art therapist’s in New York and across the country used their skills to provide grief counseling and trauma intervention to help individuals cope with the resulting psychological trauma (American medical association (2002). Unlike wars in the past, contemporary political violence is likely to directly impact non-combatant civilians, and the risk to children being exposed to violence have increased in the last few decades (United Nations 1996).
Bavman, Walker and Meyers Walls (2000) further said that even children who are not directly impacted by political violence are often aware of current violent political conflicts and report feelings of fear, worry, sadness, anger, and confusion in their reactions to such events. Although not directly in harm’s way, children exposed to war though the media or other sources must try to make sense of the information they receive. Many researchers have focused their attention on the impact of war on children living in war zones. I must say that even after such conflicts, kids still go through lots of post-conflict trauma and stress which should be given much attention.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the modern human suffering caused by armed conflicts and highlights the specific vulnerability of children, women, and the elderly.
The horrors of conflicts: the wounds of the mind, will they heal?: Delves into the psychological damage inflicted upon children by political violence and the long-term stress experienced by those in war zones.
Peace journalism (kids are watching too): Argues that media consumption of violent events deeply affects children's psychosocial development and necessitates a more nuanced reporting approach.
Peace journalism: “through the lens of a camera”- Fati Abubarkar: Illustrates how visual storytelling can reclaim positive narratives in regions like Borno, Nigeria, amid constant conflict.
Peace journalism: art works by Al-Shami “the Syria bansky”: Examines how the street art of Abu Malik Al-Shami served as a tool for hope and optimism in war-torn Syria.
Trauma healing: Analyzes the essential role of specialized interventions, such as those used for former child soldiers and survivors of sexual violence, to facilitate recovery.
Cultivating a culture of peace: the secret of peace is us: Proposes that building a global culture of peace requires personal responsibility and the recognition of humanity in one another to end the cycle of violence.
Conclusion: Summarizes the necessity of integrating welfare programs and counseling for conflict victims as a top priority for future global stability.
Keywords
Peace journalism, trauma healing, child soldiers, survivors, political violence, conflict resolution, mental health, Boko Haram, Chibok girls, psychosocial development, resilience, reconciliation, humanitarian aid, post-traumatic stress disorder, narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of the work?
The work focuses on the psychological impact of war on civilian populations, particularly children, and explores how peace reporting and therapeutic interventions can aid in healing and reconciliation.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the changing nature of modern warfare, the long-term impact on mental health, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the necessity of community-based trauma recovery.
What is the primary research interest?
The author is interested in investigating how children and adults can heal after exposure to extreme violence and how society can shift from a "war-oriented" narrative to a "peace-oriented" one.
What scientific or academic perspectives are utilized?
The author uses a multidisciplinary approach, citing psychological studies, trauma recovery frameworks (e.g., Herman’s strategies), and sociological analysis of media coverage in conflict zones.
What does the main body of the work address?
It addresses specific instances of conflict-related trauma, such as the abduction of the Chibok girls, the recruitment of child soldiers, and the use of art and journalism as tools for psychological restoration.
Which keywords best characterize the publication?
The most relevant keywords are peace journalism, trauma healing, resilience, post-conflict reconciliation, child soldiers, and psychosocial development.
How does the author define peace journalism?
The author defines it as a remedial strategy that focuses on the root causes of conflict, solution-oriented reporting, and giving a "voice" to peace, rather than solely focusing on the spectacle of violence.
What is the significance of the "Syria Bansky" reference?
The reference highlights how street art can be a form of soft intervention in war-torn regions, fostering happiness, optimism, and hope in communities facing total destruction.
What distinguishes the author's approach to trauma?
The author emphasizes that trauma recovery is not a secondary concern but an emergency necessity, arguing that if left unaddressed, it creates repeat cycles of extremist violence.
What is the final conclusion regarding the future of peace?
The author concludes that future peace depends heavily on the successful rehabilitation and integration of child victims into society through holistic welfare and counseling support.
- Quote paper
- Rackel Jackson Agara (Author), 2022, Peace journalism and the consequences of war, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1272597
