Welcome to episode six of season one of Resilient Conversations, a podcast by PartnersGlobal that explores different facets of civic space resiliency. Today’s conversation is about trauma sensitivity and what a trauma-informed framework for civil society resiliency looks like. I had the opportunity to chat with Alexa Brand - my colleague and manager of resiliency programs at PartnersGlobal.

Alexa is an expert on the topic of trauma-informed care and civic space issues. Throughout her career, Alexa has been designing and leading trainings pertaining to social inclusion, gender equality, trauma-informed care, and resilience and security for human rights defenders in closing and closed spaces. Prior to joining Partners, she managed human rights programs that focused on strengthening the resilience and security of LGBTQ+ and women human rights defenders in the MENA region, as well as anti-trafficking activists and journalists in Southeast Asia. Alexa earned her Masters degree in Middle East and Islamic Studies from George Mason University and has a Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care from the University at Buffalo.

PartnersGlobal is a nonprofit based in Washington, DC that advances resilient civic space throughout the world by focusing on authentic partnership, locally-led solutions, inclusive processes, and conflict sensitivity to bring about more peaceful, secure, just, and accountable societies. Partners envisions a world where civil society thrives, change is managed peacefully, rights are protected, and democracy can flourish. Visit our website at www.partnersglobal.org and follow us on social media. Music for this episode is created by Tuesday Night from Pixabay.