The McSilver Institute invites you to a special event on April 23 featuring Dr. Theresa S. Betancourt. As the Salem Professor in Global Practice at the Boston College School of Social Work, Dr. Betancourt will discuss her latest book, Shadows into Light: A Generation of Former Child Soldiers Comes of Age. Drawing on over two decades of longitudinal research, she will examine how the legacy of conflict continues to shape the lives of youth and families in Sierra Leone today.
Her study reveals a remarkable story of resilience, as former child soldiers navigate their personal journeys in the aftermath of the civil war. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session moderated by McSilver Faculty Director Dr. Fred M. Ssewamala.
Register to attend online via Zoom or at the NYU Silver School
Note on Inclusion:
Our events and initiatives are open to individuals of all backgrounds and identities. “The Power of Resilience” is intended for all individuals who work on or are interested in learning more about trauma and resilience in the wake of conflict.
Note on Special Accommodations and Accessibility:
It is our priority to make our events inclusive and accessible. Individuals requiring accommodations have the opportunity to make these known upon registering. You may also notify us of a request via email at mcsilver@nyu.edu at least 72 hours before the event.
Addressing Grievances:
For information on our grievance and complaint procedures, contact (212) 998-4300 or mcsilver@nyu.edu.
Speakers
Dr. Theresa Betancourt is the inaugural Salem Professor in Global Practice at the Boston College School of Social Work and Director of the Research Program on Children and Adversity (RPCA). Her work focuses on the psychosocial impact of adversity on children and families, resilience, and mental health services research. She is Principal Investigator of an intergenerational study of war-affected youth in Sierra Leone and leads implementation science research in Rwanda to examine strategies for scaling and sustaining quality in an evidence-based home visiting intervention to promote early childhood development and prevent violence (Sugira Muryango). Using community-based participatory research methods, she has co-developed similar family strengthening interventions for resettling refugee families in the U.S. raising school-age children. Dr. Betancourt has also served as an advisor for UNICEF, the International Rescue Committee, Amnesty International, the US Institute of Peace, and the World Health Organization, and served as an expert of the International Criminal Court. Her new book, Shadows into Light: A Generation of Former Child Soldiers Comes of Age, was released January 2025 by Harvard University Press. In 2025, Dr. Betancourt joined the board of Save the Children U.S.