On 30 January, 2018 at Sunway Hotel,  Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO Cambodia) in partnerships with Khmer Art Academy, Kdei Karuna Organization and Centre Bophana supported by the ECCC and funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Civil Peace Service of German International Cooperation (GIZ), conducted a conference and launch event on “Effects of Culture and Art in Dealing with Khmer Rouge Trauma”. For detail purpose of the conference and launching event, please refer press released attached: Press Release for TPO Launch Event on 30th Jan 2018 (edit by Sotheara)_Syl

The event started with welcome note by Dr. Sotheara Chhim, Executive Director, TPO Cambodia and open remark by our supporter and donors, Mr. Hang Vannak, Head of Victims Support Section of the ECCC, Ms. Julia Ilse, Coordinator Civil Peace Service, GIZ Cambodia, Mr. Adam Schumacher, Director Office of Democracy and Gov., USAID/Cambodia and Mr. John Shapiro, Executive Director, Khmer Arts Academy. Following activities was presentation about “Influence of Culture and Art on Trauma” & “Transcultural Aspects of Psychosocial Interventions with Cambodian Muslim Survivors of Khmer Rouge Regime” by Ms. Sylvia Johnson, International Advisor CPS/GIZ to TPO, presentation about “Effect of Art Performance on Trauma Affected Survivors of KR Regime” insights from TPO research study by Ms. Sopheap Taing, Psychologist, TPO Cambodia as well as  Video Viewing: ‘You are more than you remember’ Testimonial Therapy with Cambodian Muslim KR Survivors including insights from Civil Parties on the Effects of the Art Based Project ‘Pka Sla’, Dealing with suffering (insights of Muslim Civil Parties and Buddhist and Muslim Perspectives on Healing and Reconciliation ( insights about community healing and reconciliation) and Panel discussion on “The art performance Pka Sla as well as the Testimonials illustrate publicly the misuse of power and human cruelty and suffering under the KR regime. In which way do they contribute to the process of reconciliation?” by expertises.

Approximately 80 participants have attended including government officials, religious authorities, donors, partner organizations, researchers and civil party beneficiaries.

Video on Testimonial Therapy with Cambodian Muslim KR Survivors will be uploaded into Video Gallery and for photos of this event is available in Photo Gallery.