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International Responses to Traumatic Stress: Humanitarian, Human Rights, Justice, Peace, and Development Contributions, Collaborative Actions, and Future Initiatives
Edited by Yael Danieli, Nigel S. Rodley, and Lars Weisaeth
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IN PRAISE OF
"The 50th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is an
appropriate time to review and highlight international efforts to address
the agony of individuals, families, and communities victimized by armed
and other kinds of conflict, by crime, violence, natural disasters, and
the many other sources of traumatic stress in our world today. I am particularly
encouraged by the efforts for women and children described in this volume
and strongly support the initiatives on the rehabilitation of migrant women
workers subjected to traumatic experiences. I congratulate the editors
and contributors of this valuable book and encourage continued responses
and initiatives for the protection and enhancement of the mental health
of the millions of suffering people the world over."
—Corazon C. Aquino, Past President of the Philippines
"The authors of this impressive book remind us that the protection
of human rights is far from an academic exercise. By focusing on the traumatic
stress experienced by the victims, the book will help us define a positive
agenda for our common efforts to prevent human suffering. This is a sound
piece of work which should provide inspiration to all those concerned with
the promotion and safeguarding of human rights."
—Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister of Norway
"This book, authored by distinguished international authorities,
is unique. It provides a comprehensive account of trauma and its victims.
At the same time, it describes the responses by international governmental
bodies and by nongovernmental organizations to curtail violence and to
assist victims. It reports facts nowhere else collected in one place, gives
credit where credit is due, and makes bold to criticize shortcomings. The
reader will become aware of how much needs to be done and how more can
be done!"
—Leon Eisenberg, M.D., Professor of Social Medicine, Emeritus, Harvard Medical School, Boston
"This is a profoundly valuable and humane book. In its authoritative
exploration of trauma and suffering throughout the world, it provides a
compelling expression of human commonality. It will surely become a standard
reference for our capacity to inflict pain, but also for our equal capacity
to confront that pain and begin healing measures."
—Robert Jay Lifton, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, The City University of New York
"This compassionate, wise and sophisticated synthesis brings together
the essential international perspectives to address and prevent the growing
burden of the impact of trauma. The editors are to be congratulated on
its excellence, its depth, and above all, what it shows can be achieved
for the future."
—Beverly Raphael, M.D., Professor and Chair of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
"In the surprisingly violent and inhumane world of the late twentieth
century, it is sometimes tempting to believe that once the guns are silent
and the combatants have gone home everything will be all right. A book
that deals with the ongoing traumatic stress of the victims and the efforts
that are being made, or need to be made, to help them is therefore an important
event. This book surveys the field and points out where very much more
needs to be done. It is a useful antidote to the tendency to accept the
results of man's inhumanity to man as an untreatable condition."
—Brian Urquhart, Scholar-in-Residence, The Ford Foundation and Former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations for Peace Keeping
"The plight of the victims of gross violations of human rights, persecutions,
armed conflicts, and other forms of violence is very often overlooked.
The perspective of the victim is regarded by many political actors, decision
makers, and the public at large as a complication, an inconvenience, or
even a nuisance. There is the fatalistic view that reparation of the irreparable
is a lost cause. Yet, if it is true that—as is stated in the first preambular
paragraph of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—recognition of
the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members
of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in
the world,' the perspective of the victim is a cornerstone in the construction
of better world order.
It is often assured that the passage of time is in itself sufficient
remedy against the wrongs people have suffered mentally. In many instances
this is a fallacy. Unless proper medical, psychological, social, and material
assistance is given over a long period of time, post-traumatic stress may
aggravate and generate further victimization.
It is an imperative demand of compassion and justice that we redouble
our efforts, nationally and internationally, so as to secure to victims
more consistently and more widely the rehabilitation and redress they need
and they are entitled to. It is my firm wish that this remarkable collection
of papers and the message it represents from the viewpoint of broad interdisciplinary
knowledge and expertise, will reach the hearts and minds of many people
and serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement."
—Theo van Boven, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands and Special Rapporteur on Victims of the UN Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities
"This book is a landmark contribution to the field of traumatic stress
impacts to victims of war, political violence, disasters and human rights
violations. It reflects the high standards of the United Nations' efforts
in the field of mental health and disaster management of traumatic stress.
A must read for every professional in the field of traumatology."
—John P. Wilson, Professor of Psychology, Cleveland State University, Past President, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
"War and violence are no worse than before, but today we know more
about preventing war—and limiting the effects of violence on the individual.
This book deals with these issues in a highly professional way. A book
much needed."
—Thorvald Stoltenberg, UN Peace Negotiator
ABOUT THE BOOK
International Responses to Traumatic Stress asks pertinent questions
as the United Nations observes its 50th Anniversary. It focuses on the
effects of traumatic stress which accompany personal and collective disasters.
In an overcrowded world, recent catastrophes, natural as well as man-made,
have left a wake of tormented people, ranging from political prisoners
to humiliated UN peace-keepers.
Under the editorship of Yael Danieli, New York based world expert on
trauma and victim/survivors, Britisher Nigel S. Rodley, Reader in Law and
Special Rapporteur on Torture for the Commission on Human Rights, and Norwegian
Professor Lars Weisaeth, Director of the research center for Disaster Psychiatry
in Oslo, a group of prominent researchers and experienced field workers
have contributed to this important and timely work. The volume includes
a foreword by Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Secretary-General of the United
Nations.
While the chapters note the contributions of the United Nations and
its partners on its birthday, the world body having survived so many crises
for so long, they also present critical analyses of many unsolved problems,
and bring forward original views and challenging ideas for the future.
International Responses to Traumatic Stress contains a wealth
of knowledge, based on personal experience drawn from some of the world's
worst calamities. The research focuses on the functioning of the human
mind in crisis and disaster situations, as well as the effects of traumatic
stress and ways of efficient coping. Every course in conflict resolution,
peace-keeping, international aid work or humanitarian support should include
this trail-blazing analysis of human behavior before, during and after
exposure to the traumatic experiences ever-present in our world today.
It should be required reading for anyone who wants to participate in alleviating
the pains of a suffering world.
The future success of the United Nations and scores of non-governmental
organizations will depend on their ability to motivate their field workers
and maintain their effectiveness over time, even when confronted with inhuman
ordeals.
Published for and on behalf of the United Nations.
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