Lecture Theatre of the Oppressed

14-04-2017 – 16-04-2017
Social Sciences University of Ankara

Luc Opdebeeck will provide a lecture Theatre of the Oppressed within the program on “psychosocial support and conflict transformation”

Certificate program in Psychosocial Support and Conflict transformation

IOM in cooperation with Social Sciences University of Ankara, is launching a certificate program on “psychosocial support and conflict transformation”. The Certificate is offered to 15 Turkish and 20 Syrian professionals. Applicants must have a relevant degree in psychology, social work, education, medicine/psychiatry, applied arts, anthropology and at least three years of relevant experiences in working directly with crisis affected populations or in post-conflict settings.

The program will take place from Feb 2017 till June 2017. Teaching of modules will take place every second weekend (Fridays included) to facilitate the participation of working professionals.

Students will be required to carry out, in parallel, fieldwork that will allow them to receive in-service training while putting in practice the methods, concepts and tools acquired during the taught courses.

International experts along with Turkish and regional ones will be teaching the course modules to offer a diverse overview of the most relevant topics.

Goals of the Program

The certificate is designed to help psychology, social work, education, applied arts, medical/psychiatry professionals to increase their knowledge of a broad range of psychosocial issues related to conflict stricken societies and displacement, to foster social dialogue in conflict stricken environments, and the use of cultural and creative tools in both domains. The ultimate aim is for the students to apply this crucial understanding to their work with affected populations.

To offer an opportunity to professionals to extend their expertise at an advanced level in psychosocial issues, dialogue and creative and ritual interventions.

Objectives of the Program

On successful completion of the Program the student will be able to:

  • Identify and conceptualize the threat to personal (emotional, psychosocial) and social well-being created by displacement, migration and war.
  • Understand and analyse psychosocial needs with respect to relevant psychological and cultural frameworks.
  • Adopt a creative approach and applied arts to strengthen the community fabric.
  • Adopt a creative approach, applied arts and conflict mediation tools to lower the effects of the conflict on a grass-root /small-communities level.
  • Have an understanding of systemic, family and narrative approaches.
  • Recognize the complexity of conflicts to develop conflict resolution and mediation skills.
  • Develop a participatory approach to assess community needs to design interventions that are sensitive to local circumstances.
  • Appreciate differences in conflict narratives and realize the importance of individual and group memories in diverse cultures.

The program will be divided into three areas:

  • Psychosocial area
  • Dialogue and conflict mediation
  • Arts and creativity

The methodology will include taught courses, simulations, presentations of best practices, experiential workshops and guided fieldwork.