4th Annual International Conference on
Transgenerational Trauma
Communal Wounds and Victim Identities
October 21-24, 2015 ~ Amman, Jordan
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(Full 4-day Program To Be Posted Shortly)
List of Presenters:
Stanley Krippner, Myron Eshowsky, Tanya Awad Ghorra, Farha Abbasi, Radwan Mardini, Steve Olweean, Scherto Gill, Othman Shibly, Cheri Anisman, Mackenzie Cooley, Ayat Nashwan, Shefa Obaid, Scoggins Berg, Susan Bagdadi
List of Program Session Topics:
1) “Ancestor Syndrome: Indigenous View of Transgenerational Trauma and Its Healing — An Individual Focus” (This is a 1/2 day training)
Each of us is a living story influenced by generations past. Workshop explores how traditional cultures view historical trauma ; how unhealed burdens of the past are transmitted through the generations; and how indigenous wisdom offers much in terms of healing collective trauma. Participants will learn tools for unburdening unhealed ancestral burdens .
Myron Eshowsky, M.S.
2) “Ancestor Syndrome: Indigenous View of Transgenerational Trauma and Its Healing — A Communal Focus” (This is a 1/2 day training)
Each of us is a living story influenced by generations past. Workshop explores how traditional cultures view historical trauma ; how unhealed burdens of the past are transmitted through the generations; and how indigenous wisdom offers much in terms of healing collective trauma. Participants will learn tools for unburdening unhealed ancestral burdens.
Myron Eshowsky, M.S.
3) “Nonviolent Communication: A Compassionate Way Of Living And Addressing Conflict — Part 1” (This is a 1/2 day training)
In a violent world, a violent phase of history, we need to rediscover our natural gifts: compassion, empathy and love. We are social creatures, we communicate (out of each 10 minutes we communicate 7 minutes). But, are we as good as we think? are we using this major gift properly all the time? Why do we often miscommunicate? why do conflict arise? why do we get violent? Non Violent Communication takes us back to the essentials: we all function to answer our needs, needs are not negative, not linked to others, they are universal. If we learn to value our needs, and those of others, through empathy and compassion, we become better communicators, and better resolve conflicts. Because our biases and our fear, won’t be leading us anymore, only or love and humanity. Get ready to become Giraffes after this session.
Tanya Awad Ghorra, MBA
4) “Nonviolent Communication: A Compassionate Way Of Living And Addressing Conflict — Part 2” (This is a 1/2 day training)
In a violent world, a violent phase of history, we need to rediscover our natural gifts: compassion, empathy and love. We are social creatures, we communicate (out of each 10 minutes we communicate 7 minutes). But, are we as good as we think? are we using this major gift properly all the time? Why do we often miscommunicate? why do conflict arise? why do we get violent? Non Violent Communication takes us back to the essentials: we all function to answer our needs, needs are not negative, not linked to others, they are universal. If we learn to value our needs, and those of others, through empathy and compassion, we become better communicators, and better resolve conflicts. Because our biases and our fear, won’t be leading us anymore, only or love and humanity. Get ready to become Giraffes after this session.
Tanya Awad Ghorra, MBA
5) “Healing the Wounds of History Programme in Lebanon”
In this presentation, I reflect on the evaluation findings that seek to explore the effect of the Healing the Wounds of History Programme in Lebanon. In total 50 individuals participated in the programme. This report captures their experiences overtime and their reflection on the impact of the programme both at the individual and societal level. The Healing the Wounds of History (HWH) Programme consists of a series of training workshops aimed at creating a community of change agents (field workers and practitioners) who will take the spirit of HWH into their respective practices within the various communities of Lebanon.
Scherto Gill, PhD
6) “Reviving Education And Human Values In War: Toward Enlightened And Hopeful Future For Children Inside War Areas Of Syria”
Children inside war zones in Syria are continually deprived of normal education and school. Some study in basements in poor conditions, while others are not studying at all. As a result they experience anger, frustration, loss of hope, and hate. We introduce a new model based on cultural and spiritual values that address these challenges focused on several principles. Examples include reviving human identity based on shared common values, and
promoting social projects and activities that give meaning to life, reduce stress, and promote a hopeful, enlightened future. We will discuss these principles and their impact on the current suburb schools of Damascus, Syria.
Othman Shibly, DDS
7) “Empowering Refugee Women And Girls Facing Trauma In The Middle East”
Presenting guiding principles for working with women and girl survivors of Gender Based Violence in a refugee context. Including an exploration of the main challenges and obstacles faced by social workers in international NGO interventions and programs. In particular, we will look deeper into the effect of trauma on the case management process for survivors of GBV.
Ayat Nashwan, PhD, Shefa Obaid, BA
8) “Healing The Helpers: An Integrative Approach To Self Care”
This workshop is for Trauma Responders. It provides an integrative approach for managing Responders own emotional pain resulting from caring for traumatized individuals and communities. Numerous self–care, integrative health and wellness strategies will be provided with the ultimate goal of better care for self and others.
Cheri Anisman, PhD, Assisted by Kourtnie Andrus, Jennifer Ironmoccasin-Gillard, and Ember Price
9) “Using History to Navigate Traumatic Pasts”
History and culture are embodied. Stories of intergenerational trauma extend beyond the individual and their living family, stretching decades or centuries back into a difficult past. Often stories of communal hurt contain a deep sense of historical grievance. This interactive workshop explores techniques for navigating historical memory in a way that builds cooperation and resilience. Participants will explore ways to tell stories about the ancestral past that help elucidate the structures of conflict, identify values, and promote a better future. What does historical truth mean for a disenfranchised community and is that truth the same for everyone? What does trauma mean historically? How can practitioners help their patients navigate their histories in productive, healthy ways that emphasize resilience rather than perpetuate victimization? How can people around the world use history to enter conversation about transgenerational trauma in productive ways?
Mackenzie Coole, PhD candidate
10) “Prerequisite For Peace; An Analysis Of Bosnian-Serb Historical National Trauma”
Could the current problems in BiH be linked to a lack of meaningful resolution of the historical trauma of WWII Jasenovac Death Camp? I argue that Bosnian-Serbs see a significant connection between the Jasenovac horror and the many current problems facing them in their homeland today.
Scoggins Berg
11) “TRE® Tension Releasing/Trauma Recovery Exercises”
Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®) is a revolutionary technique in stress reduction and re-setting the effects of traumatic situations. This body-centered method releases deep chronic tension, stress and anxiety accumulated in the body/muscles from both general pressures of everyday life and from exceptional life experiences (such as accidents, sudden loss, natural disasters or violence). The method is immediately effective, easily learned and can be integrated into a simple daily routine to restore our natural state of inner peace, connection, relaxation and energy. TRE consists of 6 simple stretching exercises designed to evoke gentle tremors or trembling in the body’s core, originating in the psoas muscle. The passive shaking eventually reverberates organically throughout the entire body, traveling along the spine, releasing tension from the sacrum to the cranium. Allowing the body to direct its own pattern of release in this emotionally neutral manner, gives us all the power to dissolve stress, anxiety and the physical and emotional pain they cause. Participants should wear loose comfortable clothing and will be situated on the floor with yoga mats or towels.
Susan Bagdadi
Panel Topics:
1) “ The Nature of Resilience – For The Individual And Community ”
– What are the factors that promote the development and maintenance of
resilience in the face of extreme and prolonged hardship, and what factors
undermine resilience?
– How is resilience experienced within and across the dimensions of psychological, social, biological, and transpersonal/spiritual?
– What dynamics and influences come into play that result in different responses?
for coping and healing from one individual or community compared to another,
and from one situation to another?
– Is resilience a static or a dynamic process?
– How can elements of resilience be taught and nurtured?
2) ” TeleHealth / TeleTraining: New Models For Bridging Geography,
Distance, and War Zones For Healing At The Large Scale ”
– What is the current state and possible future applications of tele-health and
tele-training, particularly in developing societies and regions of conflict?
– Want are some of the benefits and attributes, as well as challenges and limitations?
– What elements are required for meaningful and successful training and service delivery at a
distance, particularly to large populations, and how can this be further developed and maintained?
– How can virtual and face-to-face training and service delivery compliment each other?
3) ” The Impact of Communal Trauma on Relations in The Middle East, and Building The Path To Healing in the Past, Present, and Future”
Separate Invitational Program (Saturday, October 24):
“Seminar For Religious Leaders and Teachers on
Psychosocial Symptoms and Treatment”
See details at: www.cbiworld.org/home/training/seminar/