48. Statement from the World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH)
Statement by The WAIMH Board of Directors, 18th July 2014:
'The World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) shares concern with those around the world about the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The escalation appears to have occurred as a result of the senseless death of children and adolescents seemingly caused by those with apparent political motivations. We understand that there are deep problems caused by long lasting competing interests, needs and violations of different demographic populations in this part of the world. But we condemn in the strongest possible terms that the political conflict is dealt with in terms of costs to minors, especially infants. Infants cannot protect themselves from violence; they suffer without understanding, including the suffering which they experience faced with their parents' own profound trauma and anxiety. In our view, the suffering of infants in the midst of hostilities, rocket fire and warfare implies a serious violation of infants' rights.
'The Board of Directors of WAIMH made a decision in 2012 to hold its 15th World Congress in Tel Aviv, a city in the Middle East which is currently afflicted by the hostilities. The intent was then and is now to work together with both local Israeli and Palestinian colleagues on behalf of babies, their rights to a safe and peaceful existence, and their families. Infant mental health specialists from both sides, Israel and Palestine, restated this commitment at the 2014 World Congress in Edinburgh. In their view, coming to Tel Aviv means supporting our Palestinian and Israeli WAIMH members who are jointly standing up for the infants' rights and essential needs in the middle of political conflict.
'We have decided to stay with our decision even in currently difficult times. Nobody knows how the situation will be in two years' time. We all hope that moderate and peaceful forces on both sides will prevail and that the 15th World Congress can be held in peace and security. We will carefully monitor the safety needs of all conference participants and will move the congress to another city if the safety of the participants cannot be ensured by May 2016. However at this moment in time, we stay with our decision and continue to offer our heartfelt support for our Israeli and Palestinian friends who prepare for the 2016 Tel Aviv conference with great enthusiasm as a symbol for hope and peace and we look forward to an exciting and productive Congress with colleagues from all corners of the world.'
WAIMH's mission promotes education, research, and study of the effects of mental, emotional and social development during infancy on later normal and psychopathological development through international and interdisciplinary cooperation, publications, affiliate associations, and through regional and biennial congresses devoted to scientific, educational, and clinical work with infants and their caregivers.
