Exchange Programme continues to reinforce anti-torture work globally

Launched in 2006 with funding from the government of the Netherlands, the IRCT Exchange Programme offers staff at rehabilitation centres the opportunity to participate in internships and peer supervisions in order to strengthen knowledge and practice in the areas of rehabilitation/treatment, organisational development, fundraising, advocacy, and communication.

Since its inception, 46 persons and 16 centres have participated in the IRCT Exchange Programme. Many more persons have benefited from the transfer of knowledge and skills within rehabilitation centres. Here are just a few recent examples of what some participants have had to say about their experience:

“I have learnt more than I anticipated due to the short duration and specific objectives of supervision. Being with other clinicians in the field of torture/trauma was professionally uplifting; the exchange on knowledge and challenges came in handy. We talked about therapy models used, monitoring the client process and progress. I also had a chance to look into the work with children and the school program. What was very catching was the prevention model on violence for children.”

-- Dinah Kituyi of the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kenya, hosted by the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture, South Africa

“The exchange has been very instrumental in helping the organisation [AJPNV] to strengthen their relations and exchange best practice strategies. Many working discussions were focused on learning more about well-established torture treatment programs such as CRAT, especially related to what has helped CRAT to stay strong and thrive over its many years of existence (since 1999), with particular attention to the organizational and clinical side of things as well as the challenges of getting funding for sustained organizational growth.”

--Staff at the Centre for Rehabilitation and Abolition of Torture (CRAT Cameroon), which hosted Mr Nodjigoto Charbonnel of Association Jeunesse pour la Paix et la Non Violence (AJPNV) in Chad

“The contribution of the peer supervisor has been evaluated in the clinical team as highly valuable and exceeded their initial expectations. His contribution has been undeniably positive for the wealth of information he could provide, given their strong general culture, his critical perspective, the availability of professional and consistent training, their mastery of the issues, [and] their ability to convey trust.”

--Staff at Grupo Tortura Nunca Mais (GTNM/RJ) on their experience engaging peer supervisor Miguel Scapusio from Uruguay to exchange clinical and theoretical information with GTNM/RJ staff and supervise clinical interventions with second generation victims

The Exchange Programme continues today thanks in part to the generous support of the OAK Foundation. If you’d like to make a contribution towards the IRCT’s work to strengthen the fight against torture and support for torture victims, please click here.

To learn more about the programme, be sure to read the IRCT publication Exchange Programme - Global Capacity Building Programme.