Click here to listen to Episode 4 of Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror

How can Western non-profits engage in true partnership with international organizations to achieve social change? What themes in activism and relationships are emerging amongst young people? What vital role can Psychology Beyond Borders play in global human rights work?

In Episode 4 of “Beyond Fear,” Naomi Tutu, international peace and human rights activist, addresses these questions and speaks about her experiences with international psychology, the role of partnership in international aid work, and the crucial importance of Psychology Beyond Borders in today’s world.

Naomi also shares stories from her life, including the moment she stepped into her own voice as an advocate for human rights, and what projects are the current focus of her passionate work.

The challenges of growing black and female in apartheid South Africa have led Nontombi Naomi Tutu to her present work as a passionate advocate for peace and human rights. She has an extensive background addressing the human rights of women and the global problem of intimate violence.

Ms. Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. She was born in South Africa and has also lived in Lesotho, the United Kingdom and the United States. She was educated in Swaziland, the US and England, and has divided her adult life between South Africa and the US.

Naomi’s father, the Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, has been an active member of the clergy since he was ordained in Johannesburg in 1961. He served as the General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches from 1978 to 1985, during which he led great efforts in opposing apartheid and striving for racial reconciliation. For this work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. In 1996, he was appointed as Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa by President Nelson Mandela. Since fulfilling these duties, he continues to be involved in social justice efforts, sharing his wisdom and experience through activism in academic institutions, governmental groups, and humanitarian organizations.

Growing up the ‘daughter of…’ Reverend Tutu has offered Naomi Tutu many opportunities and challenges in her life. Most important of these has been the challenge to find her own place in the world. She has taken up the challenge and channeled the opportunities that she has been given to raise her voice as a champion for the dignity of all.

Naomi Tutu’s professional experience ranges from being a development consultant in West Africa, to being program coordinator for programs on Race and Gender and Gender-based Violence in Education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. In addition, she has taught at the Universities of Hartford and Connecticut and Brevard College in North Carolina.

She has also led Truth and Reconciliation Workshops for groups dealing with different types of conflict. Together with Rose Bator, she presents a workshop titled Building Bridges dealing with issues of race and racism. The two also lead women’s retreats through their organization Sister Sojourner. They are also writing a book provisionally titled I Don’t Think of You as Black: Honest Conversations on Race and Racism.

Naomi holds an MA in International Economic Development from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Economic Development   at the University of Kentucky. She received an honorary doctorate from Bentley College in Waltham, MA, in 2007. In addition, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Universal Orthodox College of Ogun State, Nigeria in 1985.

In addition to speaking, Naomi Tutu is a consultant to two organizations that reflect the breadth of her involvement in issues of human rights. The organizations are the Spiritual Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence (SAIV), founded by renowned author Riane Eisler and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams, and the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa (FHSSA).

Ms. Tutu is a single mother of three children and currently lives in Nashville, TN.

Click here to subscribe to the Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror podcast in iTunes.

Produced by Psychology Beyond Borders
Edited by Emotion Technology
Hosted by Jennifer Gandin Le

Click here to listen to Episode 3 of Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror

In 2006, a massive earthquake shook the vibrant town of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, killing almost 6,000 people, and leaving more than 36,000 injured and 600,000 people homeless. When living in a region where natural disasters can occur at any time, how can people move forward with their lives?

In Episode 3, Dr. Conor Seyle, research officer for Psychology Beyond Borders, discusses the PBB project designed to help school children, their parents and teachers build on their natural resilience and move beyond fear of natural disasters. Conor also shares anecdotes from his recent field work in Yogyakarta.

Dr. Conor Seyle received his PhD. in Social Psychology at the University of Texas, where his work focused primarily on the psychology of political extremism. He has worked as an associate or research officer for several nonprofit foundations including Issues Deliberation Australia, the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, and Americans Discuss Social Security. At PBB, his main role is the development and implementation of research on the treatment of mass trauma.

Click here to subscribe to the Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror podcast in iTunes.

Produced by Psychology Beyond Borders
Edited by Emotion Technology
Hosted by Jennifer Gandin Le

Click here to listen to Episode 2 of Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror

It’s been four years since the Indian Ocean tsunami killed more than 225,000 people in 11 countries, hitting Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand the hardest. After four years of recovery and rebuilding, is it important to remember the anniversary of the trauma?

In episode 2, Pam Ryan, co-founder and Chair of Psychology Beyond Borders, recalls the organization’s work after the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. Dr. Ryan also discusses different ways to deal with the anniversaries of traumatic events.

Dr. Ryan is the Co-founder and Chair of the international humanitarian/research organization Psychology Beyond Borders. Pam is also the Managing Director of the global public policy “thinkaction tank” Issues Deliberation Australia, which has worked on projects like bridging the divide between Muslims and non-Muslims, and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Pam is also the Cofounder and Chair of the Board of the Texas Silverton Foundation, which focuses on empowerment of disadvantaged peoples in the USA, Australia and other parts of the world, including Ethiopia, East Timor, and Vietnam.

Click here to subscribe to the Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror podcast in iTunes.

Produced by Psychology Beyond Borders
Edited by Emotion Technology
Hosted by Jennifer Gandin Le

Click here to listen to Episode 1 of Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror

There are reports of over 10,000-30,000 evacuees from the Houston area coming into Austin as a result of Hurricane Ike. What can be expected in terms of mental health issues? Are people expected to be in shock, crying, angry, depressed? Will people have post-traumatic stress disorder?

In episode 1, April Naturale, CEO of Psychology Beyond Borders, talks about the emotional after-effects we should expect to see in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

April Naturale (M.S.W., L.C.S.W., A.C.S.W.) is a licensed, clinical social worker experienced in crisis intervention and trauma treatment as well as administrative/operational management in the health and mental health fields. Ms Naturale is the former Statewide Director for Project Liberty, the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program launched by the New York State Office of Mental Health in response to the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11/01. The program conducted over 1.2 million individual, group and public education/crisis counseling sessions in 32 languages; distributed approximately 20 million brochures and conducted the country’s largest public mental health campaign delivering the messages of hope, recovery and resilience. Ms. Naturale is an adjunct professor and a Ph.D. candidate at New York University. She provides training and consultation regarding disaster response and planning throughout the U.S. and internationally. She also maintains a private practice working primarily with professionals who have experienced some form of trauma.

Click here to subscribe to the Beyond Fear: Managing the Psychology of Terror podcast in iTunes.

Produced by Psychology Beyond Borders
Edited by Emotion Technology
Hosted by Jennifer Gandin Le