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About Pharos
Pharos is the national Dutch knowledge and information centre on migrants, refugees and health care issues. The centre is specialised in: • the health status and health promotion of migrants and refugees • matters relating to the availability, suitability and quality of health care for migrants and refugees • the interculturalisation of health care Mission Pharos puts knowledge to work and provides advice in order to promote the health of migrants and refugees and to improve the availability and quality of prevention and health care services and facilities. Pharos’s core values • Health care services and prevention should be equally effective and accessible to all. • Working towards this goal contributes to the quality of an inclusive society. • Pharos believes in the strength, self-efficacy and sense of responsibility of migrants and refugees. Pharos has adopted the WHO definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Based on this definition, Pharos subscribes to a broad interpretation of the promotion of health and prevention, including the role of cure and care.  More about PharosInformation and advisory services
Pharos offers Information & advisory (I&A) services to assist care providers, teachers and other professionals who work for and with refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants and other migrants. You can contact our information and advisory services regarding: 1. Female Genital Mutilation (Focal point FGM) 2. Health care for undocumented migrants (Lampion) 3. Health care for refugees and migrants youth 4. General Information and advice Our Information & Advice helpdesk can be reached by phone from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.: call +31 30 234 98 00 or email: adviespunt@pharos.nl Information- and documentation centre
Collection The collection of the information- and documentation centre consists of about 6000 books, reports, reference works and brochures, 6000 (mainly scientific or peer reviewed) articles, and various subscriptions to specialized journals. A collection of relevant audiovisual materials is also avalaible (for viewing purposes only). The emphasis lies on material written in the Dutch and English languages. The library is mainly focussed towards the psychological and psychosocial health issues of refugees, asylum seekers and newly arrived migrants, with particular attention for the following subjects :
Services and Products English publications Prevention teaching toolkit Intercultural Communication & Ideology
Cultural philosophers have described critical opinions to these ideologies since the seventies, but in spite of this, the assumptions around intercultural communication remain uncritical.
Van Asperen comes to the conclusion that the intercultural ideology evidently leads to absurdities and contradictions. This creates friction, particularly in the normative field. Cultural freedom of values, the right to one's own culture, cultural loyalty, ethnocentrism, tolerance and intolerance apparently originate from the same source, the ideological culture concept.
In the end the writer works out the divisive effect of the intercultural ideology and she formulates an alternative, in which human rights play a central role.
 Summary------------ Evelien van Asperen (PhD) (1957) (www.diavers.nl) is a researcher, consultant and trainer at Pharos, a centre of expertise on refugees, migrants and health. This book was first published as her thesis at the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands. She is continuing her research and consultancies in the field of culturalism and conflict. The Diavers Method2005, ISBN 90 75955 51 0, paperback, 151 p., ordernr. 9P2005.07, € 25,- Order online X Care Full. Medico-legal reports and the Istanbul Protocol in asylum procedures Edited by René Bruin, Marcelle Reneman, Evert Bloemen, 2006 Torture and ill-treatment are widespread. Mutilation, rape, domestic abuse or forced prostitution are an ongoing reality for many inhabitants of this world. It’s a reality victims do not easily talk about. Not at home, not abroad. Sometimes mental impediments keep them from telling their story. It takes a great deal of confidence to relate about horrific events. To ignore this makes one complicit in the conspiracy of silence. To document torture and ill-treatment in all circumstances should be part of the responsibility of states. Conventions, like the Convention against Torture, however, only urge states to investigate allegations of torture committed on their own territory, with a view to criminal prosecution. In the context of asylum no examination is required. In 2001, the United Nations adopted a manual on the effective investigation and documentation of torture and ill-treatment: the Istanbul Protocol. This Protocol can serve as a valuable guidance for examining alleged victims of torture and ill-treatment in asylum procedures. As such, it can not only contribute to the eradication of these crimes, but it can also assist in providing effective protection to those in need. This publication serves to promote the knowledge of the Istanbul Protocol and its wider use in asylum cases. 2006, ISBN-13 978-90-75955-58-3, Order number 9P2006.06, 223 p., € 18,- Order online X Training counsellors in areas of armed conflict within a community approach By Guus van der Veer, 2003  In the previous years Guus van der Veer has acquired vast experience in training local care workers in (post)war and unsafe areas, including in Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Bosnia and Cambodia. Van der Veer has gathered all these experiences in this book, in which he explains how people can be trained in (post)war and unsafe areas in order to help their fellow countrymen and companions in distress. Van der Veer expresses the conception that relatively simple skills are required for the assistance to victims of armed conflicts; skills and competences which stand close to basic social skills that many people acquire spontaneously. A short intensive training of some weeks should be sufficient to help out motivated people to the extent that they are able to function as grass roots care workers. The author in this sense demystifies the professional healthcare: in his book, care has been brought back to its basic proportions, as a helping activity that does not necessarily require an academic degree or years of specialist education. Van der Veer discusses the basic principles of the trainings, the set-up of a training programme and the basic knowledge which is useful for infor-mal carers. Moreover, he discusses difficult situations which can occur at trainings and issues such as the challenges and growth of a person as a result of the training. In two appendices the author elaborates on the mental care for victims of armed conflicts and discusses the basic knowledge concerning the impact of such conflicts. Training counsellors in areas of armed conflict within a community approach is a manual that can be used much more widely than only by healthcare professionals who work in unsafe areas. Coaches and trainers who give 'ordinary' trainings can also learn a lot from the practical information, that also applies to mental healthcare workers in their daily work with refugees and asylum seekers. 2003, ISBN 90 75955 31 6, 75 pages, ordernr. 9P2003.02, € 16,- Order online X Speaking of war. War Rape and Domestic Violence in the Former Yugoslavia. Trainers about their Work for Care By Admira, 2005 In Speaking of War experiences of trainers that were sent out by Admira to support care workers in the countries of the Former Yugoslavia are brought together. Since 1994 Admira has offered trainings and organi-sational advice to care organizations in these regions. It all started as a programme to support the care for women victims of war violence, but after the war the emphasis shifted to the issue of family violence. Through interviews and personal contributions the trainers share their experiences that vary widely and cover a broad field and often take place on the edge of personal perception and professional involvement. Here, we touch the subjects of offering comfort and support, restoring bonds, turning powerlessness into a constructive force, of the fear and shame of care workers to discuss rape. On the other hand there are the problems that the care workers come to face because of their daily encounters with the violence experiences of their clients, the care for the care workers, the inevitable next step in this work which is to work with perpetrators and with veterans, the painful confrontation with a participant whose immediate family was murdered in Srebrenica. The experiences of the trainers are intense and show that this type of training involves more than just giving, it involves a great deal of receiving: new insights and questions, shared experiences. Therefore, this collection offers a scope of useful leads and experiences for the training of care workers in other (post) war regions. 2005, ISBN 90 75955 45 6, paperback, 150 p., order number 9P2005.02, € 18,50 Order online X Working Through the War. Trajectories of Non-Governmental and Governmental Organizations Engaged in Psycho-social Assistance to Victims of War and Family Violence in the ex-Yugoslav States By Dubravka Zarkov, Admira, 2005 In Working through the War experiences of organisations in the countries of the Former Yugoslavia that were trained by Admira are brought together. Workers from these organizations reflect on their work with refugees and women war victims during the war, and their work on (sexual) violence against women and family violence after the war. They also look back on their cooperation with Admira during the war and post war period. They do so in relation to the objectives of Admira in cooperating with them: firstly, to strengthen women’s health organizations. Secondly, to assist main-stream (non-)governmental health organisations to recognize the value of gender-focused work. And finally, to support cooperation and networking between various governmental and non-governmental organisations in order to make the support for survivors of war and family violence better integrated and more effective. The workers who are interviewed in this book share their experiences and talk about their organizational and personal histories and struggles. Some of them are the founders of an NGO, some joined at a later stage, others are workers in a governmental body. They all come from different professional and personal backgrounds. They have set up SOS help lines and shelters for women and children; they have started self help groups and psycho social assistance; they work on prevention and healing; they offer counselling and therapy; they work with survivors and perpetrators of violence and lobby for effective legislation and recognition of women’s rights. By presenting their stories we hope that other organizations, local or international, working in war-torn and post-war societies on the issues of war and family violence, will feel inspired and will be able to learn from their mistakes and successes. 2005, ISBN 90 75955 46 4, paperback, 166 p., order number 9P2005.03, € 22,00 Order online X Welcome To School. Tutor method for newcomers in secondary education. Content CD Secondary Documents Students' Workbook & Teachers' Resources Engelstalig verslag van de Europese consultatie in oktober 1998. 2000, isbn 90 75955 21 9, 240 blz., bestelnr. 9P2000.06, € 12,50  Order online X Care and rehabilitation of victims of rape, torture and other severe traumas of war in the republics of ex-yugoslavia Engelstalig verslag van de Europese consultatie, georganiseerd door UNHCR en Pharos, in juni 1993. 1993, isbn 90 801566 2 0, 83 blz., bestelnr. 93.003, € 4,50 Order online X Health hazards of organized violence in children Engelstalig verslag van de Europese consultatie in Londen in februari 1993. 1993, isbn 90 801566 1 2, 158 blz., bestelnr. 93.002, € 4,50 Order online X Work For Care; Sexual and Domestic Violence During and After War, A Trainers’ Manual Free downloads
• Facing Return - An approach for psychosocial assistance to (former) asylum seekers and undocumented migrants • Potentials or illusions? The contribution of temporary return migrants to reconstruction and development in their countries of origin • Psychological and psychiatric aspects of recounting traumatic events by asylum seekers. In: Care Full, chapter 3 • Veiled Pain - extended summary (16 pp.). Between January 2008 - July 2009 a research (mixed method) has been done in The Netherlands into the psychological, social and relational consequences of FGM among 66 women from Somalia, Soedan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sierra leone. • Veiled Pain - Full version. An exploratory research into the psychological, social and relational consequences of female genital mutilation • Teachers Prevention Toolkit FGM • Reactions EU countries to illegal migration (summary research report 2006) • Supporting refugee and asylum seeking children at school (final report 2007) • Health, safety and development conditions of young asylum seekers in The Netherlands (report 2005) • The Pharos School Prevention Programmes (manual, 2005) • Policy paper on FGM: position Dutch government & assignment to Pharos (2005) • Project evaluation FGM, From Policy to Practice (2003) • Pharos long term plan Undocumented Migrants and Health (2007) • Informal care of elder refugees in The Netherlands (summary research report, 2005) • What (not) to do? FGM training sessions for professionals in European countries (research report 2007) • Welcome To School. Tutor method for newcomers in secondary education. Focal point genital mutilation of girls
Veiled Pain - An exploratory research into the psychological, social and relational consequences of female genital mutilation Focal point genital mutilation of girls: what does it mean? It means that Pharos is the designated contact for all questions about genital mutilation of girls in the Netherlands. The Dutch government designated Pharos as the national knowledge centre to allow everyone to take advantage of the experience it has had for years. Policy paper on FGM: The position taken by the Dutch government and the assignment to PharosWe can increase the expertise of professions that may have to deal with genital mutilation of girls. We also have the task of giving targeted information and making it the subject of discussion in communities where female genital mutilation occurs. For this reason, we have collaborated with the Federation of Somali Associations in the Netherlands (FSAN) for years. Being the Dutch Focal point for genital mutilation of girls, Pharos has developed a large number of activities, from information to intervision: Collaboration with the target group To prevent genital mutilation of girls, it is a prerequisite to cooperate with the target group, as the change must take place within this group. But cooperation with the target group does not occur automatically. The Pharos brochure 'Cooperation with the target group' describes how this can be done. Pharos can help develop and implement a phased plan. Basic training on the prevention of genital mutilation of girls What must you know and be capable of as a professional to play a role in dealing with the topic of genital mutilation of girls? The method of working that is offered in this training corresponds with the method of 'motivating talk'. The interactive training aims at preparing participants fully for the talks with parents/guardians of children from risk areas. The training is organised in collaboration with FSAN. Follow-up course on prevention of genital mutilation of girls This course is distinguished by its greater depth and is suitable for people who take a prominent position in organising preventive activities. It appeared that people who took the basic course still had a need for this course considering the problems and dilemmas they encountered when handling this varied subject. The training is organised in collaboration with FSAN. Course on professional intercultural communication competencies Communication between people from different cultures can be difficult, and this is often blamed on lack of knowledge. But is this the real cause? How to bring up a complicated subject? How to avoid a knotty subject or how to steer the subject in the right direction? This course offers you a professional attitude to solve complex problems effectively, as it will also make you aware of your own perception of the world. In-depth course on professional intercultural communication and conflict management The topic of intercultural communication is more live than ever. How to deal with conflicts and dilemmas? In what way must you have respect for another culture and can you fulfil your role as a professional at the same time? The in-depth course is an advanced course and meant for trainers, teachers and other professionals involved in communication, integration and conflict management. Training of key figures Key figures feature in their own community as intermediaries between help organisations and the target group. They work on changes on the inside. But at the same time they are often sandwiched between their own culture and the new one. Key figures will get an intensive training that is organised by Pharos and FSAN in mutual cooperation. These two organisations also ensure the exchange of knowledge and experience. www.meisjesbesnijdenis.nl The Dutch website www.meisjesbesnijdenis.nl provides all information to get a quick idea of this subject. The website contains news, reports of conferences and an exhaustive reading list for those who want to go deeply into this subject. Much of the reading matter mentioned in this folder can be downloaded from the website www.meisjesbesnijdenis.nl or from the Pharos website. Knowledge meetings Pharos constantly extends its knowledge and wants to pass it on to others. That is why it organised the ‘Focal point meetings’. The experienced experts from other countries are the speakers at this meeting and will share new facts and ideas with Dutch care providers. 'No Game' 'No Game' is a group of ten young people from various cultural backgrounds. This Youth Board works via Pharos and gives other young people information about genital mutilation of girls. They also visit schools, with an interactive stage play in classrooms. More information at: www.no-game.nl Teaching material for schools Schools may play an important part in the prevention of genital mutilation of girls. Pharos, in collaboration with Rutgers Nisso Group, compiled a study packet for educational institutions. Teachers may open discussions about genital mutilation of girls in class. Educational film ‘I am not circumcised, thanks to my parents.’ These are the words of a 16-year-old Somali girl in the educational film Ma Gudni. The DVD is first and foremost meant for Somali target groups, but can also be used for opening discussions about the genital mutilation of girls. Sounding-board group Pharos is one of the founders of the 'Platform for dealing with female genital mutilation'. This Platform set up a sounding-board group to involve other organisations and persons in the discussion about genital mutilation of girls. Pharos organises a meeting twice a year to talk together about most recent developments. The reports of these meetings are given at www.meisjesbesnijdenis.nl. If you are interested in these sounding-board groups, please enter your name at c.berg@pharos.nl. Intervision The profession can learn much by talking to one another about their mutual experiences. Pharos organised intervision groups to discuss problems in a structured manner to ensure that care providers can do their work even more professionally. Information and documentation centre Pharos has an extensive collection of books, reference works, reports, brochures, articles, magazines and DVDs. They all deal with the psychosocial and health problems that refugees may suffer. Any person can use this wealth of information, whether they are professionals or just interested. Various brochures Pharos has brochures with handy information and targeted instructions for (health)care providers and information officials. They include illustrations of the female anatomy and a map of Africa with major statistics per country about genital mutilation of girls. Interpreters Language can be a bridge but also a barrier. When and why do you, as the care provider, use an interpreter to talk to your patients/clients? This practical folder is called ‘Wanneer laten tolken’ (‘When to call in an interpreter’) and helps you with advice, guidelines and telephone numbers. Review of the existing literature on this subject Care Full
(A joint initiative by Pharos, Amnesty International and the Dutch Council for Refugees) Dutch medical professional organisations speaking out about the frictions in care to migrants Lampion - Health care illegal migrants
Health care workers and volunteers are confronted with many health related problems of undocumented migrants. A number of organisations in this field, including Pharos, joint forces in 2004 and set up ‘Lampion’, a national information and advisory service (website and helpdesk) for the care of undocumented migrants. Pharos administers this service. |
Pharos: knowledge and advisory centre on migrants, refugees and health
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About Pharos
Pharos is the national Dutch knowledge and information centre on migrants, refugees and health care issues. The centre is specialised in: • the health status and health promotion of migrants and refugees • matters relating to the availability, suitability and quality of health care for migrants and refugees • the interculturalisation of health care Mission Pharos puts knowledge to work and provides advice in order to promote the health of migrants and refugees and to improve the availability and quality of prevention and health care services and facilities. Pharos’s core values • Health care services and prevention should be equally effective and accessible to all. • Working towards this goal contributes to the quality of an inclusive society. • Pharos believes in the strength, self-efficacy and sense of responsibility of migrants and refugees. Pharos has adopted the WHO definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Based on this definition, Pharos subscribes to a broad interpretation of the promotion of health and prevention, including the role of cure and care. More about Pharos |
For asylum seekers there is always the possibility that they are refused residence in the country where they sought refuge or a better future. Return counsellors play an important role when their clients have to decide on their prospects or have to resign themselves to the fact that they have to leave.The book Facing return is specifically intended for return counsellors working with (rejected) asylum seekers and undocumented persons. It provides practical tools as to how to discuss the topic of ‘return migration’ and how to pay attention to the psychosocial aspects inextricably bound up with this complex process. Facing Return is based on hands-on experience gained in a number of organisations in the Netherlands dealing with return migration of (former) asylum seekers and irregular migrants. The book gives an inside view into the different phases of decision-making, resignation and preparation for return. As such, it is a valuable source of information for anyone who is interested in the topic of return migration.
Schools can play an important role in the prevention of girls’ circumcision. Pharos and the Rutgers Nisso Group composed the FGM Prevention teaching toolkit for education. It allows teachers to discuss girls’ circumcision with their students. 
What is the cause of the frequently ineffective communication strategies in intercultural situations? This question has been dealt with in different studies already, for example, from the perspective of cultural factors, social categorisation and cultural identity. This study deals with the question of communication strategies from the meta-level of connotations and assumptions of the basic concepts culture, communication and power. These concepts come together in intercultural communication, which forms a recurring theme in the book. By studying many cases, it becomes clear that assumptions about intercultural communication are under the influence of universalistic and cultural relativistic interpretation.
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