Kuwait’s Third International Conference for Social Development (Last Updated On: ) Kuwaits Third International Conference for Social Development WFMH Board Meeting, April 2000 Kuwait is a small country of only two million people, but with an unusual mental health program designed to provide easily accessible services. The program was established as a response to Iraqs military invasion on 22 August 1990. Kuwait was ruled as Iraqs nineteenth province until its liberation at the end of February 1991. In April 1992 the Social Development Office (SDO) was set up to support the psychological rehabilitation of a society which had experienced the shocks of sudden war, violence, occupation, and personal loss. By then it was recognized that there were many war-related post-traumatic stress disorders in the population, and that the country did not have enough professionals to help those affected. The aim of the new SDO was to develop appropriate services for individuals, families and children. Foreign experts were contacted, international and local training was implemented, and research programs were started on urgent issues. Although advice was sought from abroad, the aim was to develop an integrated Kuwaiti pattern for care with respect for local customs and post-war circumstances. Counseling offices were quickly opened in 1992-94, including some serving women only, and one for those who had lost a family member. Consideration was also given to the special needs of children and adolescents: one third of the population is under the age of fifteen. As part of this comprehensive approach two international conferences with an emphasis on post-traumatic stress studies were held by the SDO during the 1990s, and this years gathering was the third in the series. It was held on 1-4 April with the program theme “Psychological and Social Services in a Changing Society.” WFMHs Board and staff members were invited to participate in the conference by Dr. Basheer al-Rashidi, the Chairman of the SDO, who joined the Board in 1999 after the Congress in Chile. The meeting was opened by Shaikh Nasser Mohamed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, Minister of the Amiri Diwan, representing the Amir. He noted that a decade after the invasion the effects of the war are still keenly felt and that over 600 prisoners of war remain missing and unaccounted for in Iraq. The impact of the war seriously affected a society that was already stressed by the rapid changes caused by economic growth. The oil industrys development created prosperity but also undermined aspects of the traditional way of life. Overall, there was a continuing need to provide strong social services. Dr. Basheer also spoke at the opening ceremony, saying “there is no sadness more than wars.” He reviewed the varying types of trauma and stress people had experienced and the great demand for services. His departments aim, he said, was to offer psychological, social and educational counseling with a high standard of professional care, quietly provided, and with respect for confidentiality. The scientific sessions of the conference included reports on research in Arab Gulf countries and in Kuwait itself. WFMH Board members contributed reports from their own geographic regions about post- traumatic stress disorders, crisis intervention in disasters, and also about general public education on mental health. At the end of the meeting the Board noted the fact that Kuwaiti prisoners of war were still held in Iraq, and adopted a resolution hoping for their release and for an end to conflicts in the region. Board Meeting The conference schedule was arranged to permit the Board to meet on Federation business during the afternoons of 2 and 3 April and for a full day on 4 April. Harvey Whiteford, now a Board member, gave a report on his years work at the World Bank. Florence Baingana was also present, en route from Uganda to Washington D.C. to succeed Dr. Whiteford as the WFMH-sponsored mental health specialist in the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector at the Bank. Various budget matters were reviewed under the direction of Treasurer John Copeland. The Board reviewed arrangements for the promotion/prevention conference in Atlanta in December, and for the Vancouver Assembly (World Congress 2001) and the World Congress in Australia (2003). World Mental Health Day planning was also discussed, including a symposium sponsored by WHO, ILO and WFMH at ILO headquarters in Geneva on 10 October to mark this years theme, “Mental Health and Work.” Guided by Max Abbott, Sylvia Caras and Janet Meagher, the Board reviewed the five Resolutions put forward by consumers at the WFMH Assembly in Chile in September 1999. Sylvia Caras and Janet Meagher spoke about current consumers issues.