The 18th annual Critical Voices Network Ireland (CVNI) conference will take place at University College Cork November 12 and 13, bringing together speakers and participants to explore critical and alternative responses to human distress.
Finding Our Own Solutions: Critical Perspectives and Responses to Human Distress, this year’s conference will focus on approaches grounded in meaning, values, connection and relationships.
The conference comes amid a continuing debate about coercion within mental health services and a search for approaches that move beyond conventional medical and institutional responses to distress.
The keynote speakers include two Mad in Ireland editors, Jennifer Hough, human rights law researcher and Liam Mac Gabhann, community activist and mental health practitioner. Other speakers are: Lisa Archibald, Director of Intentional Peer Support in Scotland; Maura O’Donovan and Aidan O’Mahony of Home Focus in West Cork; Kellie Stastny, critical social worker, voice hearer and Chair of the Intervoice Board; and Iseult Twamley, psychologist, Open Dialogue trainer and Director of the International Institute of Dialogic and CoCreative Practice (INDICO).
The event is organised by Lydia Sapouna of UCC’s School of Applied Social Studies and Harry Gijbels, formerly of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at UCC.
Registration
For in-person attendance, email Harry Gijbels at [email protected], stating whether you wish to attend both days, Thursday 12 November only, or Friday 13 November only. Attendance will be confirmed by return email.
Online attendance is also available for the keynote presentations. Sign up here.