::: Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies :::

PSYCHOSOCIAL FORUM

The main objective of the Psychosocial Forum (PSF) is to enhance the quality, competence and accountability in the psycho-social work of individuals / organizations/ institutions, with emphasis on issues related to conflict in order to enhance psychosocial well -being within Sri Lanka.

The forum pays particular attention to issues related to affected women and children.

Objectives:

To achieve institutional clarity of the PSF members.

To achieve conceptual clarity in the psychosocial field

To strengthen networking among Non Governmental Organisations, Governmental Organisations, regional groups, international agencies and projects

To improve information exchange, documentation and dissemination of psychosocial material.

To provide a platform for discussing and exchanging progressive / current ideologies in psychosocial work and interventions.

To provide a neutral space for participants to share the work of their organisations and findings of research studies undertaken.

To influence and/or design psycho-social policies.

Strengthen capacity building issues in the sector.

General Forum Activities:

Conduct monthly Forum meetings (For members). The meetings will focus on current issues or concepts in the psychosocial sector. Meetings can be held out of Colombo if and when necessary in order to facilitate appropriate participation. Translation will be provided at the meetings and in all documentation.
Psychosocial Coordination Meetings will be held monthly (Open meeting for State and non-state agencies/Individuals working in the psychosocial sector)
Minuting of meeting proceedings and the dissemination of the minutes (Islandwide).
Organize Seminars and workshops on relevant issues in Psychosocial work in Sri Lanka.
Keeping abreast of psychosocial initiatives in Sri Lanka.
Follow up on actions arising from Forum meetings and where possible improve the mechanisms and structures addressing particular issues.
Coordination of psychosocial initiatives.
Bring to the attention of members, new thinking and tools emerging or being used in the psychosocial field.
Provide support to psychosocial initiatives in the districts and work with the district coordination bodies in raising awareness of psychosocial issues.
Advisory and Information Services.
Coordinate training programmes and workshops/seminars to provide opportunities to further develop a psychosocial issue or to invite resource people for necessary input.
Play an advocacy role in the psychosocial sector.
Resource Centre Activities:
- Referencing Facilities
- Web Services
- E-Library
- Psychosocial Directory

Activities through Working Groups:

Working Group for Conceptual Clarity
Working Group for Code of Conduct & Guidelines Development
Working Group to Strengthen Regional Initiatives and Linkages/ Working Group to Strengthen Coordination on Psychosocial Interventions.
Working group for Capacity Building Issues
Working Group for Policy Formulation/Advocacy
Newsletter Editorial Board
On improved Information sharing

Other Activities under working groups:

Producing a publication on Psychosocial terminology & discussing Psychosocial concepts.
Initiate a process to formulate a National Policy for Psychosocial work through the Ministry of Social Service and Social Welfare.
Finalizing the Guidelines Manual for Best Practices in Psychosocial Work in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages for island wide dissemination.
Publish a quarterly Newsletter in all three languages for island wide dissemination.
Networking with target groups, such as Organisations, Policy makers, and Academics.
Data-base on Psychosocial Resources.
Policy Maker’s Workshop series would be conducted island wide.

Geographical Area(s):

Island wide- While the CHA is not an implementing agency, the PSF has an emphasis on issues related to conflict

Beneficiaries:

Governmental and Non-Governmental officers involved in policy and field activities related to psychosocial issues
Resource persons and academics

Outcomes:

A coordinated approach towards psycho-social programming among stakeholders
Enhanced exchange of practical psycho-social programming methodologies
Greater sensitivity and awareness on issues requiring intervention and emerging ideologies/ thinking
Discussions and development of ideas for psychosocial policies, standards and guidelines for good practices