Peter Adriaenssens

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Who is Peter Adriaenssens?

Peter Adriaenssens studied child and youth psychiatry. He founded the Vertrouwenscentrum Kindermishandeling (centre for child protection) which specialises in trauma, domestic violence and trauma therapy, in Leuven, where he served as director. Besides being a systemic and family therapist, he became a qualified trainer at Context, was appointed head of the child psychiatry ward at UZ Leuven and later became head of residential care for young teenagers.

Because of his specific expertise, Peter Adriaenssens was asked to help in some notorious cases of child kidnapping and abuse. In 2010, the Adriaenssens Commission investigated sexual abuse among the clergy.

Among other things, he was awarded the Flemish Community Prize for his social commitment. In 2016, this was followed by the Order of Merit from the Flemish Community for services to Flanders. Since 2004, he has also been involved in the work of sister Jeanne Devos and her National Domestic Workers Movement in India, which fights exploitation and child labour. Peter also played an important role in the foundation of the Rode Neuzen (Red Nose) fund. He continues to battle against inequality as chairman of the Child Poverty fund in the King Baudouin Foundation.

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    The Next Gen: improving the skills of our youth

    In a continent that questions and often polarises everything, a generation of young teenagers is growing up in very diverse family forms. In a sampling of the world's population, in a bath of social media where truth is a challenge. Young people must learn to respond resiliently and flexibly to a reality that is rapidly changing. Our unstable times are pounding on a developing adolescent brain. This affects attention and concentration, planning of schoolwork, quality of memory. But also achieving emotional balance. What can we do to teach this youth to find a way through this complexity and develop a healthy choice of values in it? We must be resentful when necessary - because not everything is possible - but above all connected. This task must be fulfilled by adults as well as youth.

    Trauma

    Trauma and violence: this lecture discusses child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, trauma therapy and aspects of these.

    What is the impact of trauma and how can we address it at school and at home, and as a society? Why is non-violent cohabitation so important and is this approach science-based?

    Child poverty

    Child poverty continues to increase. It is now a bigger issue than 20 years ago. We seem unable to cope with this surge in statistics. A lot has been written about the causes - unemployment, more single-parent families, high rents, the increasing cost of living and an absence of opportunities. But all this knowledge seems to make us less caring. It has made us accept a feeling of powerlessness: we can’t do anything about these issues; it's the government's job to resolve them. In the past, it was our own fault; today, we blame it on the economy.
    During this lecture, Peter explains why living in poverty presents an extra threat to normal development. But also how this knowledge can lead us to recovery. The effects of poverty are in fact reversible, so that is what we must focus on.

    Adolescent brain in stressful times

    How do we help youth be well prepared for other times

    Covid, war, the climate crisis, young people today must learn to respond resiliently and flexibly to a reality that is changing at high speed. Living naturally is no longer possible today. An unstable world attacks a developing adolescent brain. This has an impact on attention and concentration, planning schoolwork, quality of memory. But also on achieving emotional balance. Finding joy in life and also giving grief and anger a place in it. Social media worry us because of their impact on impulsive brain areas. But it's not just about that brain; the environment has a huge influence on it. How do young people learn from a generation of parents who knew little adversity, who were convinced that everything can be managed? 

    Fear rules the world it is said, but we should not see it so dramatically. From what is happening now, young people are also learning new skills that will strengthen them on their journey. How do we together embrace the complexities of this world, hold onto their dreams and offer perspective on a world waiting for them.

    After a one-hour lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and interaction.

Em. Prof. dr. Peter Adriaenssens, child and youth psychiatrist, adopted a unique and accessible approach to make existing knowledge more tangible. With a lot of compassion and courage, he addressed sensitive issues in his lecture on trauma. This made it possible to see and understand the impact of trauma and violence, and the consequences at mental, physical and emotional level. He did not shy away from subjects such as despair, pain, emptiness, loneliness and parenthood. Peter was also very honest when he answered the many questions from the audience. He offered an insight into roles and patterns that can traumatise victims of violence for many years.

H.L. peer association for trauma victims

Manager

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His insight into today's complex task of parenting was very useful.

P.B.

Participating mother/teacher

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