Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution
The Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Notice
of
Oral Defense of Doctoral Dissertation
Al B. Fuertes
Bachelor of Theology, Silliman University, Philippines
M.A. in Peace Studies, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
This dissertation explores the phenomenological realities of violence and trauma, resiliency and healing in two cases, namely: the Karen refugees who are situated on the Thai-Burmese border and the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bukidnon and Cotabato provinces in central Mindanao , Philippines. Both of these displaced communities came as a result of constant fightings between government military and minority armed opposition groups , causing massive displacement of the civil population.
Results of this study indicate that warviews, that is, people's conceptualizations and articulations of their experience of war and displacement, do inform resiliency and that resiliency addresses people's warviews towards healing. Healing for the participants in this study connotes physiological and psycho-emotional, relational, economic, and political implications. This study concludes that no matter how victimized they may feel about themselves, the IDPs in Mindanao and the Karen refugees, with further assistance from the international community, the NGOs and the governments of the Philippines (for the IDPs) and Burma as well as Thailand (for Karen refugees), are capable of naming and responding to their individual and collective sense of reality and are active participants in their own healing and community building.
Dissertation Committee:
Carlos Sluzki, M.D., Institute for Conflcit Analysis and Resolution, GMU
Joseph Maxwell, P.h.D., Graduate School of Education, GMU
Barry Hart, P.h.D., Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Truland Bldg., Room 555
George Mason University, Arlington Campus
A copy of this doctoral dissertation is on reserve at the Johnson center library. Another copy is also available for examination in the ICAR resource room. All members of the George Mason Community are invited to attend.
