Workshops in serbian orthodox high school

  (Serbian orthodox high school Katarina Kantakuzina Branković)

Starting from May 2011., in collaboration with the staff of serbian orthodox high school, we are working on a series of workshops on psychological issues with first grade students. Currently we are working on a workshop on identity, after which we will be discussing peer violence, family dynamics, self-perception and self-confidence. Topics that we will be covering are selected in line with students interests and developmental tasks they are facing. Specific aspects of this population are adressed, namely identity formation of adolescents - members of ethnic minorities. Workshops are done through lectures (that cover basics of theoretical background of a certain topic), small group exercises and class discussions. Some of the questions we discuss are:

1. How do I recocile my minority and majority identity?
2. What are my talents and interests? What are my professional aspirations?
3. How do I feel about my relationship with parents? What to do when family isn't the source of support but of stress? How do I cope with family problems?
4. Who am I? What aspects of me I do/don't like? How can I change?
5. Self-concept: private and public self and how to synchronize them? What does it mean to be "cool"?
6. What do I think of peer violence? What are my experiences regarding that issue? Is the bully also a victim?

Each topic is covered in three class cycles, and is elaborated first from theoretical standpoints, through workshops and finishing with feedback from teachers and students.

So far we are very satisfied with this collaboration and we received positive feedback for the identity workshop - students stated that they found this topic interesting and that they would like to discuss it further.

„Social Integration of Minority Families – Returnees to Croatia“

Project „Social Integration of Minority Families – Returnees to Croatia“ is going on in Hrvatsko Pounje, Sisačko-moslavačka County.

The general objective is empowering families with children (trough different activities with family members and respective comunities) in order to enhance social integration.

Beneficiaries are minority families with children (suffering from war trauma and torture).

Project has been supported by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Zagreb.

26 June -United Nations International Day in Support of  Victims of Torture

Traditionally, we commemorated 26.6., United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June trough series of lessons for psychology students and activities with youth.

 On 26th .6. 2010. We participated with NGO Documenta in doctoral seminar for history students - University of Zagreb – History department, and held lesson about torture in today's world, massive violence and war. We pointed out importance of unedrstanding psychology of conflict for historians, as well as understanding historical and cultural aspcects of conflict for psychologists (reaearchers and clinitians).

IRCT statement for a global reading on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June 2010

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today marks the UN International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture. It provides us with a time to reflect on the past, to honour the victims and survivors of torture and to look to a better future: to a World Without Torture.

The horrific practice of torture continues to afflict people across the globe. But a world without torture is possible. That is something we must always hold on to. We owe it to the victims and survivors of this heinous crime around the world.

A world without torture will not become a reality until we have brought healing to those who have been subjected to this appalling practice. Without healing, the effects of torture are all too likely to continue within the survivors.

Each year over 100,000 survivors of torture receive treatment from IRCT member centres. But there are many more. Together, we must work to increase our reach in order to bring healing to the greater numbers who suffer.

In bringing about a world without torture we must work to ensure that the mechanisms are in place to prevent it from happening in future. We will take a meaningful step towards this when governments, the health and legal professions and other relevant actors are committed to ensuring that all torture survivors have access to justice.

This must include children, torture’s oft-forgotten victims. While anyone can become a victim of torture, children are especially vulnerable, in particular those countless girls and boys born into poverty and conflict.

In the context of war and police brutality children much too often find themselves violated at the cruel hands of a torturer. Today we stress that every state has an additional duty to ensure that there is someone to speak up on their behalf and to protect them from this horrendous crime.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In the past year we’ve seen positive steps being taken on the long road towards a world without torture. These steps must be celebrated. A few examples:

In Asia, only this month Pakistan ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture. And we’ve seen India, the world’s second most populous country and its largest democracy, take steps to ratify the Convention.

In Europe, we’ve seen the British government call for an inquiry into complicity in torture in the so-called “War on Terror”.

In Africa, following the horrific post-election violence in Kenya, the International Criminal Court has announced that it will initiate an investigation and to protect witnesses.

In the Americas we’ve seen Argentina successfully bring to justice the perpetrators of torture from the despotic regimes of the 1970s, sending out a strong message that there is nowhere for the perpetrators to hide

And last but not least, at the local level the member centres of the IRCT continue tirelessly working to help torture survivors rebuild their lives, as well as to raise awareness and seek justice.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The greatest threat to the fight against torture remains apathy: that we silently accept that torture exists. Today, as we honour the victims and survivors of torture all over the world, let us promise that we will not silently accept that the crime of torture continues. Let us pledge to do all we can to prevent greater numbers joining their ranks.

Right now, we – the rehabilitation centres and programmes that are members of the IRCT – are jointly raising our voices across the world, reading out this statement on this special day.  Together, we are saying that we will not remain silent, and that we will continue working together to bring about a World Without Torture.

Signed:

Mohamud Sheikh Nurein Said          Brita Sydhoff

President                                    Secretary-General