In a difficult context of deep socioeconomic needs and a history of brutal violence from the armed conflict, Anabaptist and Protestant churches are generating new alternatives for life and dignity. Susanne's position involves accompanying local churches as they work with victims of violence in the processes of trauma healing and strengthening resilience.
Colombia has suffered with violence during most of its existence; the current armed conflict has lasted around 50 years. None of the armed groups have respected the right of the civilian population to remain outside of the armed conflict, so many Colombians have become victims of forced displacement, assassinations and disappearances, kidnapping and ongoing threats. In this context, local churches have sought to take a public position in favor of alternatives which promote nonviolence and peace. Some churches have also taken an active role in accompanying victims of the armed conflict.This position will serve as one of the members of the Inter-Church Committee for Psycho-Social Action. The main goal of the committee is to strengthen the capacity of Anabaptist and other Protestant local churches and institutions to promote healing and transformation of trauma in their communities, with the perspective of respecting human dignity in contexts of injustice, violence and suffering. The program seeks to maintain a balance between the clinical and the structural-political elements of trauma healing. This position works mainly with lay people and congregations as they respond to victims and does not involve much direct counseling. However, indirectly Susanne will be quite involved with victims of the conflict. This assignment will include work in the office with materials and plans and also involves traveling (for perhaps two to three days every two weeks) to diverse communities in the Colombian departments (equivalent to states in the US) Sucre, Cordoba, and Bolivar to work with specific groups and initiatives.
Susanne was drawn to this position in part because it strikes her as the ultimate intersection between micro and macro social work—making “clinical” information and insights available to grassroots leaders and lay volunteers to affect systemic change for justice and peace. The emphasis on training, group facilitation, and some writing feel like a good fit. She’s reading lots about trauma and about Colombia these days and will attend several week-long trainings this spring. Susanne’s years at an inner city mental health center in Washington DC and as a hospice social worker there will be good background to draw on but to be sure she’s never done this work before. That’s humbling and she takes solace in the chance to watch and learn from her local colleagues in Colombia.
Colombia has suffered with violence during most of its existence; the current armed conflict has lasted around 50 years. None of the armed groups have respected the right of the civilian population to remain outside of the armed conflict, so many Colombians have become victims of forced displacement, assassinations and disappearances, kidnapping and ongoing threats. In this context, local churches have sought to take a public position in favor of alternatives which promote nonviolence and peace. Some churches have also taken an active role in accompanying victims of the armed conflict.This position will serve as one of the members of the Inter-Church Committee for Psycho-Social Action. The main goal of the committee is to strengthen the capacity of Anabaptist and other Protestant local churches and institutions to promote healing and transformation of trauma in their communities, with the perspective of respecting human dignity in contexts of injustice, violence and suffering. The program seeks to maintain a balance between the clinical and the structural-political elements of trauma healing. This position works mainly with lay people and congregations as they respond to victims and does not involve much direct counseling. However, indirectly Susanne will be quite involved with victims of the conflict. This assignment will include work in the office with materials and plans and also involves traveling (for perhaps two to three days every two weeks) to diverse communities in the Colombian departments (equivalent to states in the US) Sucre, Cordoba, and Bolivar to work with specific groups and initiatives.
Susanne was drawn to this position in part because it strikes her as the ultimate intersection between micro and macro social work—making “clinical” information and insights available to grassroots leaders and lay volunteers to affect systemic change for justice and peace. The emphasis on training, group facilitation, and some writing feel like a good fit. She’s reading lots about trauma and about Colombia these days and will attend several week-long trainings this spring. Susanne’s years at an inner city mental health center in Washington DC and as a hospice social worker there will be good background to draw on but to be sure she’s never done this work before. That’s humbling and she takes solace in the chance to watch and learn from her local colleagues in Colombia.
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