War Trauma as a Generational Crisis - Science, Clinical Practice, and Collective Responsibility
Welcome to the world’s first war trauma conference, centred on the mental health of children, families and frontliners affected by war. Whether you are a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, scientist, researcher, humanitarian worker, spiritual leader, policymaker, or someone keen to deepen your understanding on protracted conflict impacts the brain and body, Early Light Foundation’s War Trauma Conference is a unique convening not to be missed.
- 19–20 September 2026
- Amman, Jordan
- Join 6,000+ attendees
- Learn from 90+ speakers
- Earn CPD/CE credits
Join leading voices in trauma research and war trauma healing as we bring together an exceptional lineup of speakers for the War Trauma Conference 2026 in Amman.
We are honoured to confirm Dr. Samah Jabr, Prof. Sawsan Abdulrahim, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Licia Sky, Linda Thai, Dick Schwartz, Jeanne Catanzaro, Dr. Nasri Jacir and James Watt CVO, among experts in trauma psychology, neuroscience, clinical care, community healing, and frontline responses to ongoing violence and displacement in Palestine and the region.
Together, they will share clinical insights, scientific research, and lived perspectives advancing war trauma-specialised care and deepening our understanding of war trauma in contexts of ongoing violence, focused on the Middle East and Palestine. More speakers to be announced soon.
The full speaker lineup is being finalised and will be shared soon. Please check back for updates.
We are currently developing a rich and interdisciplinary programme spanning key themes including child trauma, men and trauma, parenting in conflict, trauma measurement, and culturally grounded healing approaches.
The conference will feature a combination of keynote talks, panel discussions, and interactive sessions designed to bridge research and practice.
The detailed schedule will be released soon. Please check back for updates.
When there is no “Post”
- Child trauma and development in chronic threat environments
- Men, torture, humiliation, and invisible forms of suffering
- Parenting and family systems in contexts of war
- Research, psychometrics, and the measurement of war trauma
- Somatics, spirituality, and cultural approaches to healing
- Intergenerational trauma and collective memory
- Indigenous and decolonial approaches to trauma care
Modern trauma theory was largely shaped by the experiences of soldiers returning home. The diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) emerged in the 1970s and 1980s to describe individuals who had survived war and were now physically safe, yet psychologically overwhelmed by memory, flashbacks, and hyperarousal.
This framework presupposes a return to safety. It assumes that trauma has ended, and that healing begins once threat has ceased. But for 2 billion people living under siege, occupation, displacement, and ongoing violence — particularly in Palestine — trauma is not something that happened in the past; it is continually unfolding. In such contexts, there is no ‘post’ to trauma.
Trauma for these communities is not an event. It is the ongoing context; a reality witnessed daily in the work of Early Light Foundation’s work, especially in our global clinic and flagship programme, Healing for Gaza.
War trauma shapes identity, family structures, child development, education systems, religious meaning-making, and political life across generations. It becomes embedded in bodies, in institutions, and in collective memory.
The genocide in Gaza and the overarching military occupation of Palestine has illustrated that clinical and psychosocialmodels designed for individuals living in post-conflict safety and more resourced settings such as the Global North can either be ineffective for communities living in ongoing threat, or at worse put them at risk of harm Our War Trauma Conference begins from this place of urgency to ensure existing frameworks meet reality, and seeks to seed a paradigm shift together, in order to effectively and ethically offer pathways of healing and hope for children, families and communities worldwide.
Of concern for us is a common conflation of “PTSD” with “trauma” in academic, clinical, humanitarian and policy spaces — conceptually, analytically, diagnostically, which risks obscuring this reality.
General
What is the War Trauma Conference 2026?
The War Trauma Conference 2026, hosted by Early Light Foundation, is a two-day international gathering examining war trauma as an ongoing public health and generational crisis.
This year’s theme, War Trauma as a Generational Crisis: Science, Clinical Practice, and Collective Responsibility, challenges traditional post-conflict models of trauma care and asks how theory and treatment must evolve when violence is continuous rather than concluded. Informed by the work at Healing for Gaza and the realities of ongoing genocide, this framing centres trauma as lived, continuous, and intergenerational.
The conference brings together leading clinicians, researchers, public health experts, humanitarian practitioners, policymakers, and educators working across war-affected regions.
When and where will the War Trauma Conference be held?
The War Trauma Conference by Early Light Foundation will take place on 19–20 September 2026 at the Landmark Amman Hotel & Conference Center.
It is delivered in person with bilingual Arabic–English interpretation throughout.
Tickets & Registration
Ticket Pricing
We offer three ticket tiers:
- Early Bird (1 April – 30 June) – £250
- Full Price (1 July – 22 September) – £350
- Supporter Rate – £425 (For those who are able to contribute at a higher rate, helping to subsidise access for participants attending at a reduced fee.)
- Scholarship Rate (1 January – 22 September)- £150 (Limited availability for students, early-career clinicians, and practitioners from war-affected or resource-constrained settings. Allocation is based primarily on financial need and the communities served.)
If you would like to be considered for a reduced rate, please contact us at [email protected] with a brief note about your circumstances.
All ticket prices include access to both days, interpretation services, conference materials, and a certificate of attendance.
A Gala dinner will be held on the evening of 19th September, separate tickets can be bought for £100. All proceeds will go to offering trauma therapy through Healing for Gaza
Do you offer scholarship pricing?
Yes. A limited number of reduced-rate tickets (£150) are available for:
- Clinicians and interpreters from conflict-affected regions
- Students and early-career professionals
- Local and regional practitionersScholarship tickets are allocated on a rolling basis and may require brief eligibility information.
Scholarship tickets are allocated on a rolling basis and may require brief eligibility information.
Can I purchase a ticket for just one day?
No. The War Trauma Conference is designed as an integrated two-day programme. Single-day tickets are not available.
When will I receive my ticket?
You will not receive a physical ticket. After registering on Eventbrite, you will receive your ticket purchase confirmation via email. Closer to the event, you will receive detailed access information.
Sessions
When will the schedule be released?
The provisional programme will be released several months prior to the conference. The schedule may evolve as planning develops and additional speakers are confirmed.
We recommend checking the website regularly for updates.
Do I need to book sessions in advance?
Yes. All attendees will be required to register for their chosen sessions in advance.
In-person workshops and breakout sessions are subject to venue capacity limits. Early booking is strongly recommended.
Will sessions be recorded?
Select sessions may be recorded and made available to registered attendees after the conference. Details regarding access duration will be shared closer to the event
Will the conference be livestreamed / can I attend online?
No
What language is the conference delivered in?
All sessions are delivered bilingually in Arabic and English with simultaneous interpretation provided throughout.
Accommodation
Where should I stay in Amman?
Accommodation (is not covered in the ticket price)
Amman offers a wide range of accommodation options, including international hotel chains and locally owned boutique hotels, catering to different preferences and budgets.
- Landmark Hotel Amman (5-star) – our official conference venue, with special negotiated rates for participants. Located in Abdali.
- AlQasr Metropole Hotel (boutique) – located in Shmeisani, known for its vibrant dining scene and central location
For your convenience, we are including an always-updating list of recommended hotels located within close proximity to the conference venue: https://bit.ly/WTC26-AccommodationGuide
Food & Beverages
Light refreshments and lunch will be provided during both conference days.
A Gala dinner will be held on the first night, where participants can opt to buy tickets.
Amman offers a rich culinary landscape, and attendees will have access to nearby cafés and restaurants within walking distance of the venue.
Evening Event
Will there be an evening event or gala dinner?
Yes, a gala dinner will be held on the evening of Day 1 of the conference. This will be an opportunity for speakers and participants to connect over local food and culture. More details to come.
Is the gala dinner included in the ticket price?
No, the gala dinner will be ticketed separately. This allows attendees to opt in based on their availability and preference.
Where will the gala dinner take place?
The gala dinner will be hosted at the Landmark Hotel, our official conference venue.
Is attendance limited?
Yes, capacity will be limited. We encourage early booking once tickets are released.
Further details, including the evening programme, performances, menu, and timings, will be shared closer to the conference date.
Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
If you require specific accessibility accommodations (mobility access, seating needs, interpretation support, etc.), please contact us in advance so we can ensure appropriate arrangements.
Visa Support Letters
Yes. Registered attendees may request a visa support letter for travel to Jordan.
Getting to Amman
Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is accessible via Queen Alia International Airport, with direct flights from major regional and international hubs.
The venue will be within reasonable travel distance from central Amman hotels. Transportation guidance will be provided to registered attendees.
Refunds & Ticket Changes
Refunds are available up to 30 days before the event, minus processing fees.
Scholarship tickets are non-transferable.
Contact Us
For all enquiries, please contact: [email protected]
What's included
Our schedule offers exceptional opportunities for personal and professional growth, from deep-dive immersions to keynote sessions, and panel discussions to networking activities
Continue your professional development by gaining accreditation from relevant governing bodies.
Recordings of all sessions are available for 90 days after the event
Get tickets
- Access to all sessions
- Bilingual interpretation (Arabic/English)
- Conference materials
A Gala dinner will be held on the evening of 19th September, separate tickets can be bought for £100. All proceeds will go to offering trauma therapy through Healing for Gaza
About ELF
Early Light Foundation is dedicated to the mental health of war trauma affected children and families worldwide. Through clinical excellence, capacity enriching, robust research, and community outreach, Early Light Foundation pioneers innovative, culturally grounded approaches to addressing war trauma. We work to ensure that those impacted by armed conflict and forced displacement have access not only to immediate quality support, but also to long-term healing, strength, and generational wellbeing.
Evenings to remember at Transform Trauma Oxford
As much as it is about learning, Transform Trauma Oxford is also about shared experiences, building connections and celebrating the transformative power of our community. Our evening events are designed to offer a rich blend of celebration, relaxation and inspiration, bringing together attendees for unforgettable moments. More details coming soon.
Scholarships available
Masters Events is dedicated to inclusivity and ensuring that our event is accessible to all who need it.
We understand that the full ticket price may not be within everyone’s reach, so we are pleased to announce the opening of scholarship applications for Transform Trauma Oxford 2026.
With thanks to our partners
Exhibition Partners
Product partners
Virtual partner
ADA Statement
If participants have special needs, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons who request them, consistent with ADA requirements. Code of Ethics Statement It is the responsibility of every attendee to abide by the standards set forth in the Code of Ethics for maintaining security and confidentiality of test materials and proprietary information presented as part of this continuing education program. Any materials used as part of this program may not be copied or otherwise distributed, and no proprietary information will be disclosed by attendees to any person not registered for this program. Conflict of Interest Statement There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest. Utility/Validity Statement The content of this presentation, when applied according to psychological practice guidelines, within the expertise of the expertise of the practitioner do not pose any risks.
CE Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Pinnacle Conference, LLC and Masters Events. Pinnacle Conference, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity is accredited for up to 40 CE hours with the following institutions:
- Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, AMA PRA Category 1™
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, ACPE CPE
- American Nurses Credentialing Center, ANCC NCPD (CNE)
- American Academy of PAs, AAPA Category 1
- American Psychological Association, APA CE
- Association of Social Work Boards, ASWB-ACE
- Commission on Dietetic Registration, CDR CPE
- Interprofessional Continuing Education: IPCE
Stay Connected with Transform Trauma Oxford 2026
Transform Trauma Oxford 2026 by Masters Events will bring together leading voices in trauma, mental health and wellbeing, under the theme Science, Spirit and the Body: The Synthesis of Healing.
As the programme continues to expand, we share considered updates about speakers, sessions and practical information for those exploring attendance.
If this would be helpful, you are welcome to stay connected.
