Children in War – University of Reading
31 August 2006Sixty years after the word 'evacuation' officially went out of use, the experiences of evacuees and war children will be studied from 6-9 September 2006 at the University of Reading. Ex-evacuees and experts from Britain, Europe and the U.S.A will meet to discuss children's experiences of war from the Second World War to the present day. This multidisciplinary conference, entitled Children in War, will bring together experts in the fields of history, psychology, psychotherapy and literature. Ex-evacuees and war children will also relate their personal experiences during this three-day conference organised by the Research Centre for Evacuee and War Child Studies at the University and the Evacuees Reunion Association. Highlights of the conference include a daughter of an evacuee, Margaret Simmons, discussing her mother and other women's experience of migrating to Australia in light of their previous experience of migration as evacuees; Professor Baard Borge discussing the fate of children of German soldiers who lived in Norway as the Second World War ended. Pertti Kaven will also analyse the lasting trauma of children living in Finland during the Second World War, and on Friday 8th September at 11.00 the Finnish film Mother of Mine will be shown. A brilliant and moving piece of work about the Finnish evacuation and Palme d'Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival. Dr Martin Parsons, Director of the Research Centre for Evacuee and War Child Studies, said, ' We are looking forward to hosting the conference which is the only one in the world that concentrates solely on children's experiences in war zones. Hearing about ex-evacuees and war children's experiences enables us to gain an insight into how the trauma of war affects children long after conflicts have ended.' For further information about the event contact Dr Martin Parsons on 0118 3788870, email m.l.parsons@reading.ac.uk or go to www.reading.ac.uk/evacueesarchive and click on 'Events'. Ends For media enquiries please contact: Eleanor Holmes, Press Officer or James Barr, Communications Assistant T: 0118 378 6166 E: e.m.holmes@reading.ac.uk or j.w.barr@rdg.ac.uk