Recent research  has opened up important new, cost-effective possibilities in the field of trauma therapy, although these positive developments are not well known yet. The Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), now also recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), gives cause for optimism that evidence-based trauma treatment can be scaled up. For example, its rapid effectiveness is measured in hours and (consecutive) days, not weeks and months – a huge operational advantage in resource-poor conflict and disaster situations. EMDR is minimally intrusive and minimally dependent on verbalization of the trauma experience – two more plusses that help lower the access barrier to services and reduce cultural resistance to treatment. Finally, EMDR has good potential as a community-based primary care intervention using well-trained and well-supervised paraprofessionals, a comparative strength that makes greater outreach possible.

Experts in mental health, developmental and humanitarian issues will present and discuss these innovations and their implications.