Recorded Webinar: Trauma-Informed Peacebuilding, Insights from Ukrainian Social Psychologist Dr. Iryna Eihelson

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Recorded Webinar: Trauma-Informed Peacebuilding, Insights from Ukrainian Social Psychologist Dr. Iryna Eihelson

Trauma-Informed Peacebuilding, Insights from Ukrainian Social Psychologist Dr. Iryna Eihelson
Trauma-Informed Peacebuilding, Insights from Ukrainian Social Psychologist Dr. Iryna Eihelson

On May 3, 2023, the AAA-ICDR Foundation and grantee Mediators Beyond Borders International hosted a special presentation by Ukrainian social psychologist, Dr. Iryna Eihelson. The talk focused on the importance of trauma-informed practices when working with people affected by humanitarian crises. Dr. Eihelson’s observations are informed by her experience as a psychologist, a conflict transformation practitioner, a peace educator, and as an internally displaced person from Crimea. In 2022 the AAA-ICDR Foundation, responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ensuing humanitarian crisis, provided a Rapid Response grant to Mediators Beyond Borders International to work in partnership with the National Association of Mediators of Ukraine on trauma awareness for mediators and dialogue facilitators. The project was dedicated to not only reducing conflict and violence, but also to improving access to justice in Ukraine and supporting displaced Ukrainians. Come learn insights from the impact and evaluation of this work, and how trauma-informed practices can and should be utilized in other areas of conflict and peacebuilding. 

News

Foundation Podcast

The MRU is an innovative alternative response program that dispatches trained community mediators to handle lower-level emergency 911 and police calls across the City of Dayton. Since 2022, the AAA-ICDR Foundation has supported the creation and expansion of the MRU, funded a professional program evaluation, and helped develop an implementation guide for communities interested in launching similar initiatives.

Announcement

The Foundation is pleased to announce two new grants approved in February 2026

Report

This evaluation highlights the Dayton Mediation Response Unit development, implementation, and early impacts. Findings show that mediation-based response offers an effective, humane alternative to traditional enforcement models, with early evidence of increased community trust and more equitable access to services. The evaluation identifies the MRU as a viable, scalable model for other communities to consider.