"CAN COLLECTIVE VIOLENCE BE PREVENTED?"
A PsychoPolitical Action Project in Indonesia
September 2004

Java
The Java projects are unfolding organically. Again, a long drive through tense traffic on small roads to the children's prison in East Java. After the usual time spent on formalities with the various officers in charge, we met with our already existing, and now well established group of youths to discuss the motorcycle repair training, which we organised during our previous visit. A climate of trust seemed to prevail as we invited the youths to voice their needs and wants. The cakes we brought along disappeared quickly during the process. Several of the young inmates wanted to be able to pass their high school exams on the outside, which would allow them to get an official high school diploma. We promised to discuss their request with the head of the prison school as well as with the director of the local junior high school.

I then took a walk through the facility, distributing toothpaste (a donation from Switzerland) and writing pens (also a donation, from a student of the PsychoPolitical Peace Institute) to each of the seventy-six inmates.

After a lengthy discussion with the wardens and the organization providing the motorcycle spare parts, we finally left the prison.

The "Peace Education Project" (Prevention of collective violence project), in which our foundation in Bali – Lagu Damai, a university in Surabaya, Java and the Savy Amira women's crisis center in Surabaya, Java are joining forces, is well on its way. We completed a most complicated application to the European Community for funding. If approved for a grant, this project will include the training of prison personnel, law makers, and religious groups. A manual and DVD will be developed to introduce peace making as a part of a regular curriculum at various governmental and other institutions.

It is of great concern to my colleagues at the Department of Psychology in Surabaya, Java that terrorism is on the increase in Indonesia and that being Muslim is often regarded in the West as being a terrorist. We are now in the preliminary process of developing ways to psychologically examine the topic of terrorist in order to eventually approach it from a different perspective.

Bali
Progress is being made in the Lagu Damai (Song of Peace) youth center. Funds are urgently needed to build the roof for the large meeting hall. Floor tiles have been purchased as well as the obligatory Balinese altar, whose position and date of placement will be determined by the local village priest. Without the altar and the priest's blessing, Balinese will refuse to work on the construction site.

The English classes in Tanggayuda, held by Dewa twice weekly, are in full swing and very popular with the youth in the village.

Our university students, Indrawati – medicine, Artawa – computer, Andika – computer, Siwi – accounting, Agus – car mechanics, Martini – administration assistance apprenticeship and Suartini, teacher assistant apprenticeship, are all excelling at their work. It is such a joy to see their willingness and keenness to study and learn.

Ngura and Agung, two of the next group of six youths the Psychypolitical Peace Foundation sponsors for high school, have entered senior high school. Everyone here is hoping that the new Indonesian President will do what he promised, that is, decrease the outrageous high school fees. If not, many people will not be able to afford to send their children to school.

The Tanggayuda group trained as electricians is now opening its own business, with our support and their newly acquired know-how.

Bangli: The Bangli women's – small business group is now creating a self-supported loan project. Each woman will pay a certain amount into the common account, which will be matched by us. The total sum will be given to a woman with a very good business idea and she will repay the loan with interest. Then, another woman will use the loan.

The following is needed:
More guitars for the prison project
Shampoo for the prison project
Funding for the youth center
Money to pay school fees

Would you like to experience the Balinese culture, attend a seminar and view our local projects from Monday, December 20 – Sunday, December 26, 2004? Go to www.pppi.net ….. journeys to the project sites….. for information about this upcoming event.

Thank you for your continued support of our activities and projects.
Dr. Margret Rueffler
PSYCHOPOLITICAL PEACE INSTITUTE INC., Non Profit Organisation, 150 West 80th Street, Apt. 6C, New York, 10024-6342, USA, tel +1 212 362 6915 fax +1 212 877 9626, e-mail: found@pppi.net, www.pppi.net
PsychoPolitical Peace Foundation, Gehrenhof im Geren 5, CH 8712 Staefa, Switzerland, Tel +41 (0)1 926 8182, Fax +41 (0)1 926 8110, email: found@pppi.net, www.pppi.net.

USA:
Please send your contributions by check in $US to: PSYCHOPOLITICAL PEACE INSTITUTE INC., Non Profit Organisation, 150 West 80th Street, Apt. 6C, New York, 10024-6342, USA

Switzerland:
PsychoPolitical Peace Foundation - Bank Linth, CH 8730 Uznach, PC 30-38170-0,
BC 8731, Konto 16 1.265.252.00, Swiftcode LINSCH 23

Germany:
PsychoPolitical Peace Foundation - Dresdner Bank, D 10971 Berlin, BLZ 100 800 00, Konto 0301352202, Swiftcode DRES DE BB

Indonesia:
Lagu Damai – Song of Peace - Bank Negara Indonesia, BNI, Ubud Branch, Denpasar, No. Rekening 034.001272723.001, Swiftcode BNI NI DJA DPS