Category: Inspiration

Challenging the Status Quo: Advancing Trauma Recovery

Around the age of 15, a copy of the late Dr Herbert Benson MD’s book, The Relaxation Response, found its way onto my bookshelf.  The pioneering work of Dr Benson and his colleagues committed to exploring mind-body approaches to counter the stress response in collaboration with Tibetan refugees, paved the way to building an evidence […]

Tibet’s Gift to the World

On the evening of March 17 1959, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (23 years of age at the time) embarked on a perilous journey escaping Tibet’s capital, Lhasa into exile, disguised as a Chinese soldier. Along with his retinue of cabinet members, family members and bodyguards, Tibet’s political and spiritual leader was followed by […]

Profile of Courage: ‘Ama’ Adhe Tapontsang (1932-2020)

The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) recently observed the passing of torture survivor Adhe Tapontsang, one of the longest-serving Tibetan political prisoners in exile. In common with the late Nelson Mandela, she endured 27 years in prison for her resistance against China’s military occupation of Tibet in the late 1950s. Reflecting on the […]

Profile: Somatic Therapy – Manuela Mischke-Reeds

Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MA, LMFT, is a Certified Hakomi Therapist and Trainer, a licensed Somatic Psychotherapist, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 40823). She trains health professionals in the Hakomi Method in California, Australia and Europe. She recently developed a Hakomi based trauma and attachment training for clinicians in Germany. Manuela specializes in integrating […]

Profile: A Reason for Hope – Geoffrey Robertson KC

London-based human rights barrister GEOFFREY ROBERTSON KC delivered an international keynote address to the 2nd Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma in Recovery Conference in Brisbane over four days in March. At the close of the conference, the founder and joint head of Doughty Street Chambers spoke with KAREN COLLIER exclusively for Refugee Transitions on […]

Peace Dialogue: Coke Studio Pakistan

In 2008, The Coca-Cola Company recognized a timely opportunity to invest in Pakistan, through its sponsorship of Coke Studio—establishing a stand out example of corporate peace. The investment-turned-cultural institution innovated by local producer Rohail Hyatt is a live fusion of diverse musical influences with the stated mission of; ‘providing a platform that bridges barriers, celebrates […]

A Tribute to Mr. Peter Rex Grogan (1934-2012)

SYDNEY: The recent passing of Mr. Peter Grogan on 11 November 2012, is a great loss to a wide network of friends, colleagues and professionals spanning many communities, including the Australian legal community, the Tibetan community in Australia and beyond. A thanksgiving service was held for Mr. Grogan at St Swithun’s Anglican Church in Pymble […]