Observatoire Psycavi | Conflits armés et santé psychologique Observatoire PSYCAVI: Conflits armés et santé psychologique
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  • Mission
    Because research helps to understand, support, and build.

    Develop and share the most relevant scientific knowledge regarding the psychological health of populations exposed to armed conflicts and intergroup violence.

    Our Mission
  • Observe
    Our Perspective

    Leaders researching the relationship between emotions and cognition in extreme situations. Because a new perspective is necessary for coexistence.

    Observe
  • Understand
    Research Axes

    Each of our studies focuses on psychological health. We provide significant contributions to the development of a rich pool of knowledge in the rapidly expanding research areas of human cognition and trauma.

    Understand

The Great Lakes Region of Africa

The Great Lakes Region of Africa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi) has been particularly affected by intergroup violence and mass violence for decades. It is among the populations of this region that the majority of studies conducted by the Observatoire PSYCAVI are focused.

However, the findings and advancements of the Observatoire regarding the links between trauma, mental health, and cognitive health provide insights and solutions that are not limited to these regions. Some of these findings may be transferable to individuals suffering from trauma, regardless of their region and the cause of their trauma.

 

General Information about the Region

The population of the Great Lakes Region of Africa is estimated to be around 170 million inhabitants.

The three countries in the region (Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC) constitute a common geographical space composed of interconnected populations through language, culture, commerce, and family ties. However, the region remains divided by a conflict-ridden past that has torn the sociopolitical fabric and led to violent conflicts, inflicting immense suffering on the population. The signing of peace agreements and the organization of elections have not yet succeeded in consolidating peace and ending hostilities. The consequences of the COVID-19 crisis add to the challenges already faced by the region. (https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/fr/home/pays/grands-lacs.html)