Trauma-informed peacebuilding: a systematic mapping review of training programs.

Area of Science:

• Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution
• Psychology and Trauma Studies
• International Development and Social Work

Background:

• Conflict and trauma significantly impact individuals and communities, necessitating trauma-informed approaches in peacebuilding.
• Existing knowledge on training programs for trauma-informed peacebuilding practitioners is limited.
• Understanding current training landscapes is crucial for enhancing peacebuilding efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map and characterize existing training programs for trauma-informed peacebuilding.
• To identify the core components and implementation modalities of these training initiatives.
• To address the gap in understanding how practitioners are trained in trauma-informed peacebuilding.

Main Methods:

• A systematic web search of non-bibliographic material was conducted following Cochrane guidelines, as initial database searches yielded no relevant results.
• 2,400 search results were screened, leading to the inclusion of 21 relevant training initiatives.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify core components and implementation strategies of the training programs.

Main Results:

• Fifteen facilitated and six non-facilitated training programs were identified, primarily offered by NGOs in high-income Western countries, particularly the US.
• Seven core components of trauma-informed peacebuilding training were identified: trauma conceptualization, impact awareness, self-care, psychosocial support skills, integration into practice, ethics, and cultural competence.
• Training programs varied in their facilitation and origin, highlighting a geographical concentration.

Conclusions:

• Training in trauma-informed peacebuilding is currently fragmented, unevenly distributed, and lacks evaluation.
• There is a critical need for more accessible, contextually relevant, and evidence-informed training programs.
• Recommendations are provided to guide future training development, policy, and practice to strengthen trauma-informed capacities in peacebuilding.