Healing as a Key to Peace: An Approach to Peacemaking in Traumatized Societies
On September 17, 2025, students, faculty, and stakeholders of the Chernihiv Polytechnic National University joined the presentation of the book “Healing as a Key to Peace: An Approach to Peacemaking in Traumatized Societies” by the American author, director of the Institute of Resilience, and member of the Ukraine Support Group at Florida State University Angie Yoder Maina.
The book is dedicated to restoring the mental health of societies that have experienced traumatic events and collective traumas of the past. The highlight of the Ukrainian edition were the illustrations of art therapist Svitlana Homeniuk, created in the process of working with people who have experienced war and loss. The artist showed how art therapy helps to free oneself from collective trauma and limiting stereotyped thinking.
Olha Melnyk, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Social Development of the Chernihiv Polytechnic National University, delivered a welcoming speech to colleagues and guests.
The participants of the meeting were able to ask the author questions, learn about the features of practical experience from Ukrainian art therapist Svitlana Homeniuk, and also receive a free copy of the book. We express our gratitude to Ms. Angie Yoder Maina for such important work, to the national foundation UA VETERANS, the US Embassy in Ukraine, and Ms. Anna Romanova for the opportunity to open up new tools for our university community to work on the restoration of Ukrainian society
