Human Rights Forum

By Ferid Agani

More than forty AFTA members gathered at the Forum for Human Rights to participate in the presentation of the Kosovar Family Professional Educational Collaborative (KFPEC), an international collaborative project developed by fourteen AFTA members and Kosovar mental health professionals.

After Ellen Pulleyblank-Coffey, services co-director of the project, introduced presenters, Corky Becker made an initial presentation regarding the essence of the collaborative. She described the beautiful way in which friendship, high sensibility, sensitivity, and a strong commitment to be of help to people in need all serve as primary values of the Collaborative.

John Rolland, co-founder of the project, recalled for us the beginnings of the project, in January 2000. As chairman of the AFTA Human Right Committee, he recognized the importance of family work in post-war societies, and out of this recognition the project idea was born. Steven Weine and I immediately supported John's idea and, the first visit of the American team took place in May, 2000.

James Griffith, training co-director, brought all participants of the Forum up to speed as to the momentum of the project, describing achievements, challenges and difficulties that the project is facing.

I was invited by Ellen to contribute my opinions about the future of the project. Earlier in the day, in the plenary session, I had the opportunity to translate the presentation of my colleague and training co-director of the Project, Mrs. Shqipe Ukshini. I began my own presentation by sharing my impression that my morning role as the translator might somehow be seen as symbolic, since one of my main tasks is also to try to translate her work into a working program of the newly growing mental health services in Kosova. Speaking metaphorically, I attempted to describe the difficult process of creating the "hardware" of the Kosova Mental Health Service—in other words, the building up of human and institutional mental health facilities—while simultaneously developing the "software" for this system in the form of community-based, family-focused mental health services. KFPEC play a crucial role in this process.

I believe deeply that the project plays a large role in the future of Kosovar families who stand to benefit greatly from the professional collaboration between Kosovar mental health professionals and American Family Therapists. This future is, in my opinion, guaranteed through the sensitive embodiment of the project in the overall process of reforms in the mental health field in Kosova.

Steven Weine, co-founder of the project described plans for research as a third component of the project. Research activities are going to be developed along two parallel tracks: direct measurement of the different aspects of the training activities and their translation into new types of mental health services; and qualitative, ethnographic study of different aspects of the Kosovar society that is in the process of major transition. Of particular interest are aspects of the project that are directly or indirectly reflected in the structure, organization, types of communication, and belief systems of the families.

Discussion was open and fruitful. Opinions ranged from highly positive evaluations of the work and concerns about its difficulties, to possibilities for future collaboration.

Of special interest was the presence at the Forum of one of the founders of AFTA, Professor Boszermenyi-Nagy. The famous author of the theory of the ethics of relationships expressed his respect for the loyalty that characterizes our Collaborative. He recalled for participants of the Forum, the meeting that took place in his home and which resulted in AFTA's establishment. He reminded us that the loyalty that AFTA founders had for their basic idea was also crucial at that time. The involvement of fourteen AFTA members in the development of mental health services in Kosova, and the contribution of their valuable human and professional resources, represents a qualitative change in AFTA activities and is an example of highly successful engagement in international work. The presence and words of Professor Najy seemed symbolic, and represented a sign for possible new directions for AFTA activities. The transfer of the expertise of AFTA members into post-war societies would represent significant help for peoples in these countries. Work in Kosova during these past two years is very good example of the possibilities of such work.

I feel deeply obligated to express my appreciation and respect for the love that has been extended to the Kosovar people by the extraordinary professionals involved in this project: Melissa Griffith, Corky Becker, Judith Landau, Ellen Pulleyblanc-Coffey, Jane Ariel, Mabs Mango, Kaethe Weingarten, John Rolland, James Griffith, Jack Saul, Steven Weine, John Sargent, Carlos Sluzki, and Van Griffith.

Ferid Agani 1959, born in Prishtina, M.D., is a neuropsychiatrist and assistant professor in neuropsychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Prishtina. Author of many professional and scientific publications, he is Co-founder of the international project, the Kosovar Family Professional Educational Collaborative and is author of the Strategic Plan for Mental Health in Kosova. He currently serves as National Mental Health Coordinator in the Ministry of Health.