‘Shadow of War’ symposium discusses grief-consequences of war
GREEN BAY — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Office of Outreach will host “The Shadow of War,” a symposium designed for professionals who are working with the grief-related consequences of war, on Friday, Nov. 14.
Workshop sessions on campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive, will explore the effects of war and the strategies people need to make peace.
“The Shadow of War” program marks the tenth anniversary of UW-Green Bay’s Institute on Dying, Death and Bereavement. Since its inception in 1998, the Institute has developed annual conferences on topics of high interest to professionals who work with those encountering death and loss.
Keynote speaker, Prof. Jack LoCicero, of Salem College, will discuss “The Shadow of War,” exploring the many facets of grief experienced by service men and women. He will examine the impact of war on the soldier, their family, their community and the country.
UW-Green Bay student veterans will present a panel discussion, “Our Experiences with War and Its Aftermath.”
Other sessions include discussions about the traumas experienced by caretakers, the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, how art can help children heal, and the effects on adolescents of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The symposium is sponsored in conjunction with UW-Green Bay’s Common Theme, which this academic year is “Waging War, Waging Peace.”
The Common Theme is a yearlong program designed to engage the campus and community in the ideals of a liberal arts education and the UW-Green Bay interdisciplinary mission. It is designed to encourage faculty, staff, students, and community members to focus on a general theme from multiple perspectives and have a shared experience with open discussion and critical thinking.
Continuing education credits are available to social workers, licensed professional counselors and funeral directors who attend the symposium.
Cost for the symposium is $99, which includes registration, lunch, refreshments, materials, parking and continuing education credit certificates. The Nov. 14 symposium lasts from 9 a.m. until 3:45 p.m.
For more information, or to register, visit www.uwgb.edu/outreach/war/.
“Shadow of War” Schedule of Events
9:10-11 a.m.
Keynote speech: The Shadow of War.
Prof. Jack LoCicero, Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC
Will explore the many facets of grief experienced by service men and women and try to understand the impact of war on the soldier, their family, their community and the country.
11:15 a.m.-noon
Breakout Sessions
Who Cares for the Caretakers
Mary Van Haute, executive director, Community for Hope, Oshkosh
Explores the sources of vicarious trauma often experienced by those in caretaking professions and discusses current trends for dealing with exposure to constant trauma and/or multiple losses.
PTSD-Effects on Veterans and their Families: Moving Out of the Shadow
Bill Olcott, Vets for Vets, PTSD Counselor
Examines the difference between grief and post-traumatic stress disorders and the formal diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and reviews a history of the establishment of PTSD as a mental disorder. Differences in experience of Vietnam veterans and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans will be discussed.
Children Under Seige: How Art Can Help Achieve Healing
Nana Cisler, MA, CSW
Explores the effects of prolonged threats of war and violence on children and teens. Discusses the use of art to help heal negative experiences, images and events that can cause trauma.
12:45-1:30 p.m.
A Civil War Reenactment: Resilience Emerging from the Suffering
Pat Wright, CSW, RN
The impact of the Civil War is still with us. The mammoth losses, issues of death and dying, mourning styles and ways to recover from the suffering are shown through costume, jewelry, ritual, poetry, music and writings.
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Terrorism and Trauma: The Effects of 9/11 on Adolescents
Prof. Illene C. Noppe, Human Development, UW-Green Bay
U.S. children are now growing up in an era where the possibility of terrorism is a startling reality. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Noppe and her colleagues were interested in how adolescents felt about these events and how they coped with the fears that were expressed by their significant adults, peers and the media. A survey was given to more than 900 Upper Midwest adolescents and their teachers. Survey results will be shared, with emphasis not only on the fears and anger resulting from 9/11, but also the coping strategies that adolescents used to enhance their resilience. Discussion will include what adults can do to support adolescents in the face of public tragedy.
2:30-3:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Our Experiences with War and Its Aftermath
UWGB Student Veterans Jesse James Niemojuski, William Olcott, and Sam Seefeld
3:15-3:45
Symposium Wrap up
Prof. Jack LoCicero, Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC
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