More than forty representatives from various faith-based organizations have gathered in Suva for a 10-day peacebuilding consultation focused on addressing intergenerational trauma. This significant initiative is being led by Father Ioane Sigarara, a former US military psychologist and expert in post-trauma, who emphasizes the critical need to address trauma within the context of the ongoing Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Father Sigarara explains that the consultation’s first week has delved into understanding trauma and its extensive effects on individuals’ behavior, thoughts, and relationships. He highlights its impact on social issues, such as violence, drug use, self-medication among youths and adults, poverty, and the challenges of coping with life’s stresses. Addressing trauma is essential for fostering a healthier society and promoting reconciliation, which he believes has been lacking attention in community discussions.
Participants in the consultation, such as Mohammed Nazimud Dean from the Fiji Muslim League, appreciate the workshops for shedding light on how trauma roots impact communities. Dean stresses the importance of forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation, deeply embedded values in many faiths, which he believes are crucial for the nation to progress beyond its past.
The organizers underscore the power of open conversations in bringing people together, enhancing understanding, and promoting reconciliation. This approach aligns with previous dialogues coordinated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which stressed that reconciliation is a profound, spiritual journey rather than a mere legal process. These discussions highlighted the fundamental roles played by faith leaders as moral guides during Fiji’s challenging history, emphasizing the need for a collective effort toward healing and unity.
The faith-based consultation in Suva demonstrates a hopeful step towards breaking the barriers of silence and denial around trauma, fostering an environment where individuals can openly confront and heal from painful experiences. By encouraging dialogue and understanding, this initiative helps build a foundation for a peaceful and inclusive future, empowering communities to transform past wounds into sources of collective strength.
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