Four years ago, HAUKARI, medico international and the Mexican organisation ALUNA for psychosocial support launched a transnational exchange of psychosocial practitioners, in which colleagues from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, South Africa, Cameroon, Lebanon, Iraq, Kurdistan/Iraq and Germany took part. For four years, we met regularly and exchanged ideas across contexts and four continents on the challenges of psychosocial practice in times of polarisation and violence. Together, we drafted a manifesto entitled ‘Resist! Connect! Stand up’.
In light of current global developments, the rise of authoritarian and destructive dynamics of violence, and the millions of people living in situations of war and displacement, the paper explores the scope for action and the political responsibility of psychosocial practice. It calls on us, as psychosocial practitioners, to connect and stand together in solidarity in order to strengthen the emancipatory potential of psychosocial work.
On Monday, 16 March 2026, the manifesto was presented in an online symposium. Here are some impressions from the event.
Here you can find the full manifesto. Additional languages and the option to sign are available on the website of medico international.If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to get in touch with us!