Manchester alumna to speak about ‘trauma-informed’ efforts to counter violent extremism in fragile regions
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – A 1994 graduate will speak at Manchester University about real-life approaches used in Somalia and Kenya to counter violent extremism.
Angi Yoder-Maina, an expert in post-conflict development and governance who works with refugee communities, will return to North Manchester for “Quraca Nabadda: The Tree of Peace – Trauma-informed Approaches to Countering Violent Extremism: Case Studies from Somalia and Kenya” at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5 in Cordier Auditorium.
The presentation is free and open to the public.
Yoder-Maina will show videos that highlight work on the ground in the African conflict.
Entire generations and nations are living in protracted violence, existing in survival mode for decades. This has caused their social and economic fabric to disintegrate.
The cracks – tribalism, corruption, revenge attacks, war and displacement, the colonial past, sexual violence, discrimination, lack of hope and opportunity for youth, injustice, historic grievances – are entrenched. There is structural, cultural and political violence.
This affects individuals who may exhibit apathy, isolation, aggressiveness and violence, and this pattern extends to families and the very systems and structures they depend on – government, security and civil society.
Aid workers and diplomats who attempt to assist in the recovery of these fragile regions are not immune to the effects of this insecurity.
Yoder-Maina will explain how trauma-informed approaches work to address this often-ignored cause of instability. She will show examples of how those out in the field work with communities, leaders and law enforcement to make a difference.
Sponsored by the Manchester University Peace Studies Institute, the program is presented as part of the Values, Ideas and the Arts series at the University.
About Manchester University
Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 60 areas of academic study to nearly 1,600 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Athletic Training, a Master of Pharmacogenomics and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy. It has students from 20 nations and is home to the world's first undergraduate peace studies program, established in 1948. Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu.
September 2017