Conference theme
by 2015 Conference Program Chair Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Ph.D., Purdue University

2015 marks the end of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and also the 200th anniversary of the end of the War of 1812, the last armed conflict between the U.S. and Canada, our host nation. Holding our conference in an international location is an excellent opportunity for us to consider risks, resilience, and recovery at home and around the world in light of conflict, violence and war. In the midst of threats and challenges, millions of families attempt to form and maintain relationships, bear and rear children, and take care of all of their members. This conference provides an opportunity to feature the work of the many NCFR members who are working to help families to survive and even thrive in the aftermath of traumatic experiences by fostering:

strong human connections to prevent or overcome conflict between groups or individuals;
empowerment to help groups or individuals to avoid becoming targets of violence; and
peace, which can be actively forged as an alternative to war.

Conference objectives

To highlight research that takes a broad approach to conflict, violence, and war, recognizing the interplay of individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors;

To feature evidence-based best practices in the promotion of human connections, empowerment, and peacebuilding;

To provide family life educators and practitioners with innovative tools to reduce and prevent conflict, violence, and war;

To examine the role of policy and justice in promoting well-being for children and families locally, nationally and internationally;

To demonstrate reciprocal interaction between individual and family wellbeing and social and political contexts; and

To propose ways in which family scientists can interface meaningfully with other disciplines concerned with conflict, violence, and war.

Confirmed speakers
E. Mark Cummings

Ph.D., Director of the Family Studies Center and Co-Director of the Center for Children and Families, University of Notre Dame
Lee Ann De Reus

Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State Altoona
Ann Masten

Ph.D., Regents Professor, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychology, and Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
David Finkel

Journalist at The Washington Post; author of The Good Soldiers and Thank You for Your Service; 2006 Pulitzer Prize winner for explanatory reporting