Between Fiction and Reality in Post-Genocide Rwanda: Reflections on a Social-Psychological Media Intervention for Social Change

Rezarta Bilali

doi:10.5964/jspp.v2i1.288

Abstract

This article reflects on the potential and challenges of implementing social psychological interventions in the aftermath of genocide, specifically focusing on an education entertainment media campaign in Rwanda. The analysis is based on the author’s experience working with a non-governmental organization in producing "Musekeweya"—a very popular violence prevention and reconciliation radio drama. The article highlights the advantages of using fiction as an effective tool to communicate messages about violence and reconciliation, and provide a safe space to address sensitive topics in post-genocide contexts. In addition, it outlines some of the challenges of translating existing knowledge to interventions that promote reconciliation in specific socio-political settings, such as Rwanda, where the government has implemented a series of programs and policies to achieve unity and reconciliation. The paper ends with a discussion of future directions to further increase social and political psychology’s potential to inform effective social interventions in the aftermath of violence.

Highlights

In this article I reflect on the potential and challenges of implementing social psychological interventions in the aftermath of genocide, focusing on an education-entertainment media campaign in Rwanda
I will highlight the role of context—here, the socio-political reality in Rwanda—on the development, implementation and effectiveness of psychology-driven interventions
I will outline some of the challenges of translating existing knowledge to interventions that promote reconciliation in specific socio-political contexts, such as Rwanda, where the government has implemented a series of programs and policies to achieve unity and reconciliation

Summary

Introduction

This article reflects on the potential and challenges of implementing social psychological interventions in the aftermath of genocide, focusing on an education entertainment media campaign in Rwanda. The article highlights the advantages of using fiction as an effective tool to communicate messages about violence and reconciliation, and provide a safe space to address sensitive topics in post-genocide contexts It outlines some of the challenges of translating existing knowledge to interventions that promote reconciliation in specific socio-political settings, such as Rwanda, where the government has implemented a series of programs and policies to achieve unity and reconciliation. The paper ends with a discussion of future directions to further increase social and political psychology’s potential to inform effective social interventions in the aftermath of violence Taking into consideration the current state of the research literature, the paper will discuss future directions to further increase social and political psychology’s potential to inform effective social interventions in the aftermath of violence

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Conclusion