Rwanda: A Template for Trauma-Informed Governance 

Rwanda is a global leader in its’ intentional, phasic and sustained recovery from 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Citizens of Rwanda endured unimaginable violence and approximately 800,000 people were killed within 100 days. Intentional and systemic division was created between groups of people within Rwanda and became the foundation and fuel for the violence. While the history of the genocide is incomprehensible to many, the recovery efforts are deeply inspiring and rooted in humanity, egalitarianism, and unity. Rwanda has demonstrated that recovery from large scale tragedy is not only possible, but that there is also possibility for fundamental shifts towards unity, community, and connection.

Rwanda is a global beacon in reconnecting us to our neighbors and seeing beyond what separates us.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Principles of Trauma-Informed Care: Gain a comprehensive understanding of trauma-informed care principles and their application in fostering healing and resilience in individuals and communities.

2. Application in Rwanda's Recovery: Explore how trauma-informed principles have been integrated into Rwanda's recovery efforts, from addressing intergenerational trauma to promoting reconciliation and social cohesion.

3. Multicultural Perspectives: Gain insights into multicultural perspectives on trauma-informed care and learn how cultural factors shape the implementation of trauma-informed practices in diverse communities.

Course admission requirements:

Minimum of a Master's Degree in a mental health or related field; or be a student in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required.

MEET THE PRESENTER

YVONNE UW AMAHORO. PSYCHIATRIC NURSE.

I completed my master's in social work from Portland State University, where I was the recipient of the Laurels Scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Following graduation, I worked as a medical social worker in the emergency department, medical floors and on an inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit. I started my private practice in 2007, which specialized in trauma and dissociative disorders. After five years of serving this population, the need for more holistic approaches to trauma that were safe and accessible to survivors became increasingly clear. In 2012 I started Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC), an outpatient mental health clinic housed in Portland, OR. ITTC offers continuing education which offers specialized trainings with a mission to include and elevate clinical voices from all over the world. My most recent endeavor was the launch of an online Trauma Coach Certification course that is designed to be globally accessible and culturally adaptable. This project was designed following trainings I facilitated in Rwanda that were an effort to provide a multicultural platform for clinicians to learn about other cultural lenses through which they could approach their work. My contribution in Rwanda extended to the development of mHub Rwanda, which is an outpatient mental health clinic that is run by Rwandans, for Rwandans. I continue to volunteer my services as a trauma consultant within the mHub community.