Relations of care in international research and aid in the aftermath of conflict – Lessons from the CCVS practice centre in Lira, Northern Uganda

Centre for Children in Vulnerable Situations (CCVS) is an interuniversity research centre intended to bridge the gap between (academic) theory and practice. Next to practice-oriented research and result dissemination, CCVS... [ view full abstract ]

Centre for Children in Vulnerable Situations (CCVS) is an interuniversity research centre intended to bridge the gap between (academic) theory and practice. Next to practice-oriented research and result dissemination, CCVS also founded two practice centres, in Lira, Northern Uganda, and in Bunia, Eastern-DRC, based on the observation that few possibilities for psychotherapeutic support were available. In these practice centres systemic-oriented psychotherapeutic support is given to war-affected children, youth and their caregivers.
In this presentation, we will discuss how CCVS aims to set up a collaborative relationship between local and international stakeholders in supporting socio-psychological practices of care, challenges met and lessons learned. We will hereby use CCVS-Lira as a case-study. CCVS-Lira was established in the aftermath of the conflict in Northern Uganda, a conflict that heavily affected communities, particularly by the recruitment of thousands of children and youth as child soldiers. After the withdrawal of many humanitarian aid organizations from the region, CCVS-Lira aimed to continue the provision of systemic-oriented psychosocial support on the longer-term, thereby not only targeting former child-soldiers but also their broader social context. Through a range of activities (such as sensitizations on mental health, counselling in schools, prisons and communities) and partnerships with local and international organizations, universities and government institutions, the centre calls upon the experience and responsibility of various stakeholders on different levels that can, through collaborative relationships, contribute to better psychosocial care for children and youth in the aftermath of conflict.