Anxious Quote by James Wolfensohn
“I was told 20% of the kids in Kosovo didn't know where their parents were. This is a dreadful problem. A woman that I was with, a doctor, had seen her house destroyed and her uncle, who was a professor, taken out and shot. She's there, anxious now, trying to build relations with the Serbs, and said that she was trying to do this, but she was underlying how difficult it is with these images in your mind. And I think that is what has caused this terrible bloodshed that occurred just days ago in relation to the Serbs that were shot. I think that there is a need for a period of healing.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: World Bank Annual Meeting, 2000
The trauma of war leaves deep psychological scars that hinder reconciliation and perpetuate cycles of violence.
In simple terms: War trauma blocks healing and peace.
Key Takeaway
Address trauma to enable peacebuilding.
Themes
war
healing
reconciliation
psychology
conflict
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- post‑conflict societies
- community dialogue
- mental health services
- education programs
Key Concepts
trauma
collective memory
trust rebuilding
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance emotional healing with justice?
- What role should mental health professionals play in post‑war reconstruction?
A Different Perspective
Healing alone cannot resolve structural injustices; political solutions are also needed.
