Healing Childhoods Conference: Mental Health Interventions for Children Affected by War, Emergencies and Displacement
The Children and War Foundation, together with the Centre for Crisis Psychology (CCP) at the University of Bergen, will host the conference Healing Childhoods – Mental Health Interventions for Children Affected by War, Emergencies and Displacement on 8 June 2026 in Bergen.
Millions of children are growing up amid war, displacement, and humanitarian crises. The psychosocial consequences are profound, creating an urgent need for effective mental health and psychosocial support.
The conference brings together researchers, practitioners, humanitarian organisations, and members of the Children and War network to share evidence-based approaches for supporting these children. Presentations will cover the development, implementation, and evaluation of low-threshold psychosocial interventions, including work connected to the Children and War Foundation manuals and training programmes.
The conference is also highly relevant in a Norwegian and Nordic context. As schools, health services, and communities in Norway and beyond increasingly support refugee and displaced children affected by trauma and loss, strengthening competence in evidence-based psychosocial support is vital - not only in humanitarian settings but also in resettlement contexts.
The programme includes presentations on:
the psychological impact of war on children
evidence-based psychosocial interventions
implementation experiences from Gaza, Sudan, and other conflict-affected settings
research and methodological challenges in war-affected areas
Contributions will come from leading professionals affiliated with organisations including UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, Africa CDC, King’s College London, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Bergen.
The conference also includes a panel discussion, a book launch, and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
The event takes place at Studentsenteret (“Egget”) and will be held in English.
https://www.uib.no/sites/w3.uib.no/files/attachments/healing_childhoods-programme_0_0.pdf
https://www.uib.no/sites/w3.uib.no/files/attachments/healing_childhoods-flyer.pdf