'Care and Cohesion': A Conference on Social Capital and Support in Humanitarian Aid
May 19, 2006
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The 2006 Antares/CDC conference will consider the contribution provided by analysis of social capital to the work of humanitarian agencies. After an initial exploration of the concept, we will discuss the role and relevance of trust and the sharing of knowledge, goals, and values for the well-being and constructive cooperation amongst individuals and groups. Presentations will cover the nature and value of social capital in communities, aid organizations, and operational teams.
Conference Details (in Word format)

The 9th European Conference on Traumatic Stress
June 18-21, 2005
Stockholm, Sweden
New threats including terrorism and violence have affected many people in different ways. Our need to share experiences concerning this and also how to meet the needs of different victims and modern treatment methods will be covered during our conference. Our aim is to cover many topics from aspects concerning biopsychological effects of a psychic trauma to different clinical aspects and treatment methods.

2004 ISTSS Annual Meeting
November 14-18, 2004
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
The scope of the 20th annual meeting is broad in recognition of the diverse types of populations affected by war: active duty personnel, veterans, civilian adults and children exposed to war trauma, aid workers, refugees and internally displaced persons. Trauma types experienced by these populations include combat, peacekeeping, terrorism and bioterrorism, as well as torture, sexual trauma and other types of violence that may occur during an armed conflict. Topics will range from basic science and epidemiology to treatment and prevention, as well as policy and other issues of social relevance.

Cross-cultural perspectives on psychosocial issues of humanitarian staff care
November 16-17, 2004
Melbourne, Australia
The conference aims to increase the awareness of how best to support the wellbeing of national (locally based) staff who work for western humanitarian NGOs. It will examine ways in which humanitarian organizations that employ personnel for the field can better prepare and support staff for cross-cultural interactions at the interpersonal as well as team and organizational levels in order to effect meaningful and sustainable aid intervention. The conference will be of interest to those working in NGOs, in humanitarian work or in cross-cultural team situations.

Managing stress of the humanitarian aid worker
April 1-2, 2004
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The two day meeting aimed to highlight the importance of raising the awareness of the NGO and donor communities and to identify strategies for engaging NGOs and Donors in the process of education and implementation of

• minimum standards of psychosocial care of aid workers
  
• a systemic model of management of psychosocial care and
  
• a longitudinal research study on stress in humanitarian aid workers

It also sought to critically evaluate the outcomes to date of the minimum standards, model, and longitudinal research groups and to increase the commitment of conference participants to advancing a collaborative and expanded international network.

Tending the Helper's Fire: Mitigating Trauma and Stress in International Staff and Volunteers
March 4-6, 2004
University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Action Without Borders and The Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame University organized the first annual conference on Mitigating Trauma and Stress in International Staff and Volunteers. This was a first-ever effort in the U.S. to bring together human resources professionals, researchers, program directors, and international humanitarian aid staff to examine how organizations provide psychosocial support to their expatriate and local staff and volunteers working overseas. It was our aim to provide a platform where professionals can share information, learn from expert perspectives, and pool resources for future collaboration. 
Read conference report.

Psychosocial Issues of Humanitarian Aid Workers
November 12-14, 2003
Melbourne, Australia
A three day inaugural collaborative and interactive forum was planned for Australasian NGOs and individuals affiliated with the humanitarian aid sector, in Melbourne in November, 2003. This three day forum proposed to address policy, practice and research that relate to the support of humanitarian aid workers. This forum represented the first step of a broader aim to implement lasting solutions that address the psychological support of humanitarian aid workers.

Managing Stress of the Humanitarian Aid Worker: towards an integrated approach
September 6-8, 2001
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Antares Foundation and CDC organized the working with the purpose of raising awareness amongst decision makers, policy designers and donors, sharing information, and reaching broad recommendations and plans for follow up action. The working conference aimed, first , to identify and address the mental health consequences arising from the work, environment, and organizations where humanitarian workers function. Next, the conference aimed to develop a set of responses and minimal standards for preventing and coping with stress of humanitarian aid workers.