National Dialogue on Resilience in Youth 2008 Conference

In spite of severely adverse circumstances such as poverty, fragmented family life, cultural, social and physical challenges some children are resilient. They are able to function well and develop into successful learners and productive citizens. Understanding what makes a child resilient is important for individual children, their families and society as a whole. With sponsorship from the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), The Learning Partnership worked with eight provinces and territories to address the issue of resilience by developing the National Dialogue on Resilience in Youth, November 17-19, 2008, in Winnipeg.

This seminal event focused on issues related to resilience in youth and how children achieve success, in spite of obstacles such as poverty, fragmented family life, illness, stress, and other social and physical challenges. The goal of the National Dialogue on Resilience in Youth was to synthesize current knowledge on the issue of youth resilience, and to build momentum and create action at the local, provincial and national levels. More than 200 people representing business, education, government, labour, policy makers and the community attended the dialogue in Winnipeg.

CONFERENCE REPORTS

Foundation Document

In the summer of 2008, each participating province and territory hosted a roundtable discussion, commissioned by The Learning Partnership to springboard the discussion held at the National Dialogue on Resilience in Youth. These roundtable discussions were lead by a province or territory, and addressed programs, strategies, gaps, and other details relating to youth resilience specific to their regions. Some regions approached resilience from very specific angles, while others looked at it from a more general perspective. Following their roundtables, each province and territory submitted a report which included descriptions of their participants, methodologies, findings, and next steps.

The roundtable discussions were summarized and used as a foundation document for the 2008 National Dialogue on Resilience in Youth. The document is comprised of two sections: an overview of the policy framework which helps to establish the context in which the resilience roundtables were held; and a summary of the common themes that emerged from each roundtable.

Click here to view the Foundation Document. 

Two research papers were commissioned by The Learning Partnership to provide background information and a common starting point for dialogue participants. Copies of these papers are available here:

  Dr. Michael Ungar, A Brief Overview of Resilience: How Does the Concept Help Us Understand Children’s Positive Development Under Stress

 Dr. Kim Schonert-Reichl, Considering Resilience in Children and Youth: Fostering Positive adaptation and Competence in Schools, Families, and Communities 

ADDITIONAL REPORTS

 “Children of the Affluent: Challenges to Well-Being”
By Suniya S. Luthar and Shawn J. Latendresse

“The High Price of Affluence”
By Suniya S. Luthar and Chris C. Sexton

“Contextual and Cultural Aspects of Resilience in Child Welfare Settings”
By Michael Ungar

“Pathways to Resilience Among Children in Child Welfare, Corrections, Mental Health and Educational settings: Navigation and Negotiation”
By Michael Ungar, Dalhousie University

“Resilience among Children in Child Welfare, Corrections, Mental Health and Educational Settings: Recommendations for Service”
By Michael Ungar, Dalhousie University

“Educating the Heart as well as the Mind: Social and Emotional Learning for School and Life Success”
By Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl and Shelley Hymel

“Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic and Relationships: Considering the Social Side of Education”
By Shelley Hymel, Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl and Lynn D. Miller, University of British Columbia

“International Resilience Project Identifies Youth Strengths”
By Elizabeth Scott

“Understanding the Relationship between Resiliency and Bullying in Adolescence: An Assessment of Youth Resiliency from Five Urban Junior High Schools”
By Tyrone Donnon, PhD, Wayne Hammond, PhD

“A Psychometric Assessment of the Self-Reported Youth Resiliency: Assessing Developmental Strengths Questionnaire”
By Tyrone Donnon and Wayne Hammond

“Standards of Evidence: Criteria for Efficacy, Effectiveness and Dissemination”
From: The Society of Prevention Research

“Technical Assistance Fact Sheets: Evidence-based Programs”
By the Penn State Prevention Research Center

“Assessment and Planning for Program Implementation”
From: Blueprints for Violence Prevention Newsletter (September 2000, Volume 1, Issue 3)

“The Importance of Implementation Fidelity”
From: Blueprints for Violence Prevention Newsletter (March 2001, Volume 2, Issue 1)

"Resilience in Development: A Synthesis of Research across Five Decades" 
By Suniya S. Luthar

"Puting a Human Face on Child Welfare"
By Michael Ungar, Dalhousie University

"Putting Resilience Theory Into Action"
By Michael Ungar, Dalhousie University