Building resilient societies: the impact of adversity, violence and traumatic experiences on adolescent brain, mental health and psychosocial development
I had the privilege of co-organising this event with my organisation UNODC, alongside Wilton Park, UNICEF and Save the Children.
It was one of the best opportunities I have had to be part of a group that exercised systems thinking from a wide range of different perspectives and backgrounds. In particular, we held a high-level debate on how current systems view and engage adolescents, and why we need to shift the current paradigm.
The discussions led to the identification of key principles that should guide the creation of adolescent-centred policies.
As a follow-up to the Wilton Park meeting, a paper series was developed and launched at the Science Summit organised at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2024. For further details, see: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/justice-and-prison-reform/endvac/unlocking-the-science-of-adolescent-brain-development-to-promote-effective-policy-and-practice.html.
The meeting at Wilton Park was the starting point of a global movement I have been leading with key partners, which calls for the following:
- Leveraging the science of the adolescent brain for positive social and policy changes
- Promoting a shift in the way we understand and engage with adolescents across all sectors
- Innovating multisectoral collaboration and interventions to better protect and serve children and adolescents
- Challenging harmful binary narratives – such as victim versus perpetrator – that trap societies into cycles of punishment, isolation and trauma.
Considering the polycrises the world is facing – climate change, mental illness, increasing violence and inequality, to name just a few – there is an urgent reason to act on the science, especially now. If I may refer to one of the key takeaways from the Wilton Park gathering, I would highlight that systems thinking is the only way to identify innovative and sustainable solutions to the various complex issues we must tackle. Issues are interconnected: climate change is not independent of mental health or security. Child protection and peacebuilding are not separate from climate change and health.
I take this opportunity to thank Alison Hilliard, an outstanding partner and professional, and her team. Without Alison’s trust and support, I am not sure we would have achieved so many results.
