This Wilton Park dialogue will showcase new research on the implications of childhood and youth trauma on conflict recovery and prevention, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It seeks to highlight the relevance of understanding and addressing the psychological and cognitive impacts of conflict on young people, offering profound insights into narratives, identity, cycles of violence, and effective approaches to mediation.
This research includes groundbreaking interdisciplinary work from the XCEPT team at King’s College, London, focused on violent and peaceful behaviours. The research spans neuroscience, cognitive science, war studies, and the study of radicalisation, offering new insights into intergenerational trauma, the impact of conflict and adverse childhood events (ACEs) on reconciliation or revenge, conflict memory, extremism, and radicalisation.
By exposing this research to policy-makes from HMG, other national governments and international NGOs, we hope to influence and shape local interventions which help populations in the region avoid reproducing cycles of violence.
