Palliative Care, with its focus upon the alleviation of suffering and the promotion of dignity, happiness, and respect for the inherent value of one another, especially in moments of vulnerability and in the context of incurable illness and imminent dying, can meaningfully contribute to community-based Peacebuilding, by fostering a culture of empathic concern, Ubumuntu as it is known in Rwanda, and Universal Compassion. 

 

The emergent qualities of Ubumuntu and Compassion, may be cultivated and grown within human beings, as has been demonstrated in the peace literature with such tools as  functioal MRI, and various validated metrics, some of which have been employed in the palliative care literature.  This literature as supported the premise of the development of a  'peace-oriented mindset.'  

 

Such findings may be particularly supportive of  peacebuilding efforts in communities where the population has been impacted and traumatized by conflict.   For example, communities that have suffered from genocide, represent particularly poignant examples of the principle, because in such circumstances, sacred reciprocity vis a vis the culture’s relationship with the sanctity of living and dying in one another has been fractured. 

 

As Ms. Umubyeyi, a former social worker and survivor of the Rwandan genocide once noted, “The genocide destroyed the sanctity of dying here in Rwanda.”   

 

While the perspective expressed by Ms. Umubyeyi that the harm of genocide is irreparable is certainly understandable, in particular for those having lived through such a cataclysm, we also see the ongoing aspiration to rebuild a just peace and reclaim that dignity and sanctity and peace, that is equally a possibility in each new moment as it unfolds.  

 

By addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs, of dying human beings, their immediate entourage, and their community writ large, palliative care practice can create sacred spaces of trust, empathy, community and shared understanding, potentially mitigating the effects of conflict and trauma, and even decrease the future likelihood of dehumanization and the adoption of the so-called ‘logic of atrocity'.  

 

When presented in a structured and thoughtful manner where consistent principled altruism is modeled and practiced, we have shown that it is possible to support people as they bear witness, and rather than become estranged,  grow in empathic concern and their capacity for compassionate action,  empowering them to see clearly how no being can exist outside our web of mutual care and concern. 

 

That web, which is often referred to as Indra’s Net, is the metaphor for an infinite number of nodal points connecting to all being, does literally extend to the entire biosphere: the fact of our dying makes this abundantly clear. 

 

HWB asserts that palliative care contributes to peacebuilding as follows:

 

1. Addressing Universal Suffering:

Palliative care recognizes that suffering from illness and dying is a shared human experience, transcending cultural and political boundaries.

By providing compassionate care to the seriously ill and dying, palliative care can create a space for dialogue and understanding, even in the midst of conflict. 

 

2. Promoting Compassion and Empathy:

Palliative care focuses on alleviating suffering, which can be a powerful tool for building empathy and compassion within communities.

When people witness the care and support provided to the dying, it can foster a sense of shared humanity and encourage a more compassionate response to suffering, conceivably independent of the context. 

 

3. Supporting Mental Health and Emotional Well-being:

Palliative care addresses psychosocial and spiritual needs, such as anxiety, depression, and grief, which are so often exacerbated by conflict, whether within the individual, the family, the community, the nation, or internationally - regardless the scale and nature of conflict.   By providing mental health support and spiritual guidance, and bereavement care to promote adaptive adjustment in the fact of loss, palliative care can help individuals and families cope with the emotional and psychological impact of violence and displacement. 

 

4. Creating Spaces for Healing and Reconciliation & Conflict Transformation:

Palliative care can create safe and supportive environments where individuals can process their experiences, express their emotions, and find meaning in the face of adversity. 

This can be particularly important in post-conflict settings, where reconciliation and healing are essential for rebuilding trust and social cohesion. 

 

5. Advocating for Human Rights:

Palliative care advocates for the rights of the dying and their families, including the right to dignity, respect, and access to quality care including the right to be free of suffering and to be happy.

By raising awareness about the importance of palliative care, it can contribute to broader efforts to promote human rights and social justice in conflict-affected areas. 

 

6. Building a Foundation for Community Resilience:

Palliative care can empower communities to address the needs of the most vulnerable, including those facing life-limiting illnesses and displacement.

By building capacity and strengthening local resources, palliative care can contribute to community resilience and preparedness for future crises. 

 

In summary, palliative care's focus upon compassionate care, empathic concern, and psychosocial and spiritual support can provide a powerful tool for Peacebuilding by addressing the root causes of conflict such as ‘fear of the other’ thus promoting healing, and fostering a more just and compassionate society.