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RENFORCEMENT DES CAPACITÉS CENTRÉ SUR LES JEUNES EN MATIÈRE DE SANTÉ MENTALE ET DE SOUTIEN PSYCHOSOCIAL ET LA POLITIQUE DE JUSTICE TRANSITIONNELLE DE L'UNION AFRICAINE : UN MANUEL DE FORMATION DESTINÉ AUX ORGANISATIONS DE LA SOCIÉTÉ CIVILE

CSVR — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:32:50 +0000

Ce manuel de formation est destiné à servir de ressource pour guider les organisations de la société civile (OSC) dans l'élaboration et la facilitation de programmes de formation en santé mentale et en soutien psychosocial (SMSPS) et sur la politique de justice transitionnelle de l'Union africaine (PJTUA) avec les jeunes dans les communautés touchées par les conflits. Ce manuel ne comprend pas un compte rendu exhaustif de tous les défis présentés par la SMSPS et des interventions appropriées. Les OSC devraient s'efforcer d'adapter le manuel à leurs contextes spécifiques afin de s'assurer que les programmes sont appropriés et pertinents pour la communauté visée.

En outre, ce manuel est un guide sur la manière de concevoir des programmes axés sur les jeunes, et comprend des concepts de base et des thèmes clés qui devraient généralement être considérés lors de la conception et de la facilitation d'une formation dispensée aux jeunes sur la SMSPS et la PJTUA.

800995 CSVR Youth capacity MANUAL FRE_REV WEB

YOUTH-CENTRED CAPACITY BUILDING ON MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT AND THE AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY: A TRAINING MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS

CSVR — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:31:45 +0000

This training manual is intended to serve as a resource to guide civil society organisations (CSOs) as they develop and facilitate mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) and African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) training programmes with youth in conflict-affected communities.

This manual does not include a comprehensive account of all MHPSS challenges and appropriate interventions. CSOs should aim to adapt the manual to their specific contexts to ensure that programmes are appropriate and meaningful to their intended community.

The manual provides guidance on how to design programmes that are youth focused, and includes basic concepts and key themes that should typically be considered when designing and facilitating training with youth on MHPSS and the AUTJP.

800995 CSVR Youth capacity MANUAL ENG_REV WEB

Towards Advancing Psychosocial Justice: Strengthening Mental Health Support through the Psychosocial Wellness Programme

Teresa Abel — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:07:29 +0000

Violence continues to leave deep psychological and social scars in many communities, creating urgent needs for accessible, context-sensitive mental health support programmes and systems. Through the Psychosocial Wellness Programme (PWP) at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), efforts have been made to advance psychosocial wellness by strengthening holistic care systems for violence-affected individuals and communities. Recognizing that unresolved trauma undermines leadership effectiveness and sustainability, the programme addresses the interconnectedness of personal healing, self-awareness, and transformative leadership. This practice brief captures key experiences from implementing psychosocial interventions that prioritize healing, resilience, and empowerment that are useful in informing evidence-based policy recommendations. It outlines the overview of PWP, the context, its implementation, participant engagement strategies, methodology, discussion and summary analysis of findings, the outcomes achieved, and the lessons learned. There is also a section linking evidence to policy recommendations and the policy recommendations based on evidence for practitioners seeking to bridge mental health care with social justice frameworks in South Africa and similar contexts. By centering survivor agency, addressing structural inequalities, and fostering collective healing, the PWP contributes meaningfully to the broader goal of building safer, healthier, and more equitable societies

PWP PRACTICE BRIEF JULY 2025

AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE: THE GAMBIA

Imran Darboe — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:05:35 +0000

The Gambia is making significant strides in its transitional justice process following the successful completion of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). With a dedicated post-TRRC Unit established within the Ministry of Justice, the government is actively working to implement the TRRC's recommendations, laying a solid foundation for justice and reconciliation. Although challenges remain, there is a strong commitment to fostering social cohesion and addressing the needs of victims through reparations and institutional reforms. By aligning its efforts with the African Union Transitional Justice Policy, The Gambia has the potential to emerge as a model for effective transitional justice in Africa, paving the way for a more equitable and democratic future.

801051 CSVR GIZ-APSA AUTJP The Gambia Policy Brief

AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE: LESOTHO

Prof. Khabele Matlosa — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:29:48 +0000

The policy brief highlights the persistent violence in Lesotho since its independence in 1966, which has severely impacted democratic governance, human rights, and socio-economic development. It emphasizes the need for a cultural shift towards peace through the implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) to promote justice, reconciliation, and social cohesion. The paper outlines the historical context of Lesotho's conflicts, identifies key phases of violence linked to governance failures, and provides recommendations for establishing transitional justice mechanisms to address past human rights violations and foster national healing. Ultimately, it calls for collaboration among stakeholders to develop a comprehensive transitional justice framework that includes marginalized groups and ensures accountability and stability.

801001 CSVR AUTJP implementation Lesotho WEB

The Power of We: How collective processes allow healing after mass atrocity – Reflections from the field

CSVR — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 10:14:41 +0000

In 2024, the Global Learning Hub for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation convened partners, AJAR, the Berghof Foundation, CSVR, and Dejusticia in a collaborative workstream on Collective Healing. Through a joint process of learning and reflection, the team examined diverse country experiences to inform more transformative approaches to transitional justice, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. Drawing on institutional reflections and field-based practices from CSVR in South Africa and AJAR in the Asia-Pacific region, the resulting publication highlights the value of community-based interventions. It emphasises that healing must go beyond individual therapy and legal mechanisms, advocating for culturally grounded, community-led strategies that foster resilience, dignity, and intergenerational dialogue. The work also surfaces persistent challenges, such as systemic violence and complex trauma, while positioning collective healing as a crucial component of meaningful, long-term transitional justice.

250414_Hub Publication_PowerOfWe