Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

This dissertation combines psychology with peace and conflict research in a cross-disciplinary approach to reconciliation processes after intrastate armed conflict. Two overarching contributions are made to the field of reconciliation research. The first is conceptual and methodological. The vague concept of reconciliation is defined and operationalized (Paper I), and a method is proposed for how reconciliation may be studied systematically at the national level (Paper II). By discussing what reconciliation is and how we should measure it, comparative research on reconciliation is facilitated which is imperative if we wish to learn of its promises and pitfalls in post-conflict peacebuilding. The second contribution is empirical. There has been an assumption that truth telling is healing and thereby will lead to reconciliation; healing is the assumed link between truth and reconciliation. This assumption was investigated in two studies in Rwanda in 2006. A multistage, stratified cluster random survey of 1,200 adults was conducted to assess whether witnessing in the gacaca, the Rwandan village tribunals for truth and reconciliation, was beneficial for psychological health; thereby investigating the claim that truth telling is healing (Paper III). The results of the survey are disconcerting. Witnesses in the gacaca suffered from significantly higher levels of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder than non-witnesses also when controlling for important predictors for psychological ill-health such as gender or trauma exposure. To acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the experience of witnessing in the gacaca, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women genocide survivors who had witnessed in the gacaca (Paper IV). The results of this study challenge the claim that truth telling is healing, suggesting instead that there are risks for the individuals on whom truth-telling processes depend. Traumatization, ill-health, isolation, and insecurity dominate the lives of the testifying women. Insecurity as a result of the truth-telling process emerged as one of the most crucial issues at stake. This dissertation presents a novel understanding of the complexity of reconciliation in post-conflict peacebuilding, demonstrating that truth and reconciliation processes may entail more risks than were previously known. The results of this dissertation can be used to improve the study and the design of truth and reconciliation processes after civil war and genocide.

The inclusion of lime in burials is observed in historical and archaeological records, in contemporary mass graves and forensic cases. Clearly there are controversies within the literature and there is a general misconception of the effects of lime on decomposition. Recent casework in Belgium and the UK involving the search for human remains buried with lime, have demonstrated the need for a more detailed understanding of the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. Field and laboratory experiments using pigs as human body analogues were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of the taphonomic processes that govern lime burials. The changes observed in the experiments were related back to archaeological parallels in which white residues have been found. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, hydrated lime and quicklime both delay the initial stages of the decay process but do not arrest it completely. The end result is ultimately the same: skeletonisation. Furthermore this study stresses the importance of the specific microenvironment in taphonomic research and highlights the need for chemical analysis of white residues when encountered in a burial. Not all white powder is lime. White residue could be identified as calcium carbonate, building material, body decomposition products, minerals or degraded lead. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials and for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes also have bearing on practices involving the disposal of animal carcasses and potentially the management of mass graves and mass disasters by humanitarian organisation and DVI teams.

In the 20th century, microfinance went through a revolution: the number of microfinance was expanding exponentially all over the world. Microfinances are supposed to be one of the most efficient tools in alleviating poverty. The paper, Microfinance: Development Aid tool is analyzing whether microfinance institutions provide, beside the credit services, also preventive antimalarial services so as to lower malaria cases. Theoretical part is focused on definition and familiarization with 'microfinance, development aid and malaria' terms. Practical part analyses the malaria problem in connection with microfinance market and microfinance organizations in the three above mentioned countries.

In my diploma thesis I try for an objective evaluation and analysis of the history of the Democratic republic of the Congo since the year 1960, when the country gained its independence from Belgium, until the first years of the 21st century. The whole time period of 50 years of the existence of the country is divided into several intervals according to important events, which influenced the country's political development. Consequently one chapter of the thesis is devoted to each time period. In the conclusion of my thesis I try to evaluate the contemporary situation in the Democratic republic of the Congo and suggest solutions for the future.

The purpose of this study is to map out and analyse the competitiveness of the clothing-manufacturing sector in Rwanda on a local, regional and international level. The research was carried out as a case study of the Rwandan clothing-manufacturing sector through a two-months field study in Rwanda. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local fashion designers, clothing manufacturers and ministry representatives. Observations in manufacturing plants, local markets and tailoring studios were also carried out. The findings were analyzed through an analysis model based on Porter’s diamond model, enhanced with the notions of country of origin effect (COO), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer-based brand equity (CBBE). The findings show a sector that is struggling with its competitiveness on a local, regional and international level. Lack of relevant factor conditions such as cheap labour and energy as well as low local demand indicates that the country is not suitable for mass-production of clothes. The emerging fashion scene shows abundance in creativity and entrepreneurship, but there is a need for more developed tailoring skills, product quality level and knowledge in management and marketing. Rwanda is not competitive for mass-production of clothing, but the sector could profile itself on high-end fashion and products with craftsmanship qualities. Allocating resources to education and investments in supporting industries could help the Rwandan clothing-manufacturing sector to profile itself on a regional and international market. No studies on the Rwandan clothing-manufacturing sector and its competitiveness have been done since 1989. Due to the shifting focus towards East-Africa as a textile and clothing-manufacturing hub, an update of the situation in Rwanda was found relevant. The study contributes to the existing literature on competitiveness in the textile industry and forms a relevant stepping-stone for further research. / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen

This diploma thesis deals with the post-conflict development in Rwanda and its main aim is to evaluate the tools adopted after the genocide in 1994 for the purpose of preventing recurrence of any similar conflict in the future. The thesis mostly concentrates on the process of justice (on the international, national and local level) and on the process of reconciliation of the polarized society in Rwanda as two key components of the post-conflict reconstruction. On the basis of the results derived from the detailed analysis of the tools from security, social, economic and political area, the thesis answers the asked question if the future conflict in Rwanda is nowadays hardly probable (thanks to effective and successful activity of the adopted measures) or if there is, on the contrary, some ethnic tension in Rwanda which could become the reason for repeating of any wave of violence in short- or medium-term.

<p>This dissertation combines psychology with peace and conflict research in a cross-disciplinary approach to reconciliation processes after intrastate armed conflict. Two overarching contributions are made to the field of reconciliation research. The first is conceptual and methodological. The vague concept of reconciliation is defined and operationalized (Paper I), and a method is proposed for how reconciliation may be studied systematically at the national level (Paper II). By discussing what reconciliation is and how we should measure it, comparative research on reconciliation is facilitated which is imperative if we wish to learn of its promises and pitfalls in post-conflict peacebuilding. The second contribution is empirical. There has been an assumption that truth telling is healing and thereby will lead to reconciliation; healing is the assumed link between truth and reconciliation. This assumption was investigated in two studies in Rwanda in 2006. A multistage, stratified cluster random survey of 1,200 adults was conducted to assess whether witnessing in the gacaca, the Rwandan village tribunals for truth and reconciliation, was beneficial for psychological health; thereby investigating the claim that truth telling is healing (Paper III). The results of the survey are disconcerting. Witnesses in the gacaca suffered from significantly higher levels of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder than non-witnesses also when controlling for important predictors for psychological ill-health such as gender or trauma exposure. To acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the experience of witnessing in the gacaca, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women genocide survivors who had witnessed in the gacaca (Paper IV). The results of this study challenge the claim that truth telling is healing, suggesting instead that there are risks for the individuals on whom truth-telling processes depend. Traumatization, ill-health, isolation, and insecurity dominate the lives of the testifying women. Insecurity as a result of the truth-telling process emerged as one of the most crucial issues at stake. This dissertation presents a novel understanding of the complexity of reconciliation in post-conflict peacebuilding, demonstrating that truth and reconciliation processes may entail more risks than were previously known. The results of this dissertation can be used to improve the study and the design of truth and reconciliation processes after civil war and genocide.</p>

<p>Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a common neurological complication occurring in the asymptomatic and symptomatic stages of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection. The pain and other symptoms caused by PN can impair functional ability and limit physical activity that could affect quality of life (QoL). Additionally, studies done on quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS have shown that, HIV-related neurological syndromes, including PN, significantly reduce QoL. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy amongst and the quality of life of adults living with HIV/AIDS attending the out-patient clinic at Rutongo Hospital in Rulindo District in Rwanda.</p>

The current study aims to determine physical activity levels among people living with HIV treated with high active antiretroviral therapy in Kigali, Rwanda. A cross-sectional design using quantitative method was used. The participant’s levels of physical activity participation and their association with anthropometric profiles were measured, using a structured selfadministered questionnaire adapted from the Sub-Saharan Africa Activity Questionnaire. Based on a scientific calculation, 407 clients passing through the clinics were included in the study. A convenient sample of people attending the clinics approached to participate voluntarily in the study. The findings of the current study highlighted the lack of motivation, lack of time and fear of worsening the disease amongst the strong barriers to physical activity participation. The current study recommends education about the benefits of physical activity participation and encouragement of patient treated with high active antiretroviral therapy in Rwanda to be emphasized on to improve their lives.