Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Youth at Risk:

Abstract #68 
A Review of the Community Level Protective Factors for Youth Violence 
Presenter: Rashid Ahmed Co-presenters: Maghboebah Mosavel, Cindy Petersen
Abstract:
While the focus on protective factors for youth violence is extremely helpful there is still a relative paucity of data on community level protective factors. To address this gap the present study will identify and review community level factors for youth violence. A systematic review methodology will be used to identify protective factors in both research and intervention studies. The review will focus primarily on the extent to which the relationship between the identified protective factors are discussed in the studies and the extent to which theories of resilience are utilised. Current conceptualisations of community resilience will also be reviewed to assess their relevance for youth violence especially in low-income contexts. Directions for future research will identify gaps in the literature on protective factors and the major issues to be considered in developing theories of community resilience.

Abstract #181
Promoting Resilence in High Risk Children in Jamaica With the Dream a World Program: A Multimodal Community Model
Presenter: Jaswant Guzder
Abstract:
The effectiveness of the dream a world intervention model (multimodal afterschool and summer for 3 years) was evaluated in an initial school pilot within a garrison community of inner city Jamaica selecting a cohort (with matched controls) of 30 highly disruptive children who were failing by grade 2-3. The pilot was developed as a school based intervention integrating teachers, artists and therapists as collaborators and using measures of aseba, academic performance and qualitative data. A grand challenges grant 2012 to 2015, initiated a further cohort of 100 identified grade 3 high risk children from four impoverished communities. In 2014 the government of Jamaica has initiated an expansion to 35 new schools. The program target is reduction of violence, retention of pupils into academic high school placements, as well as engagement of parents, school and community in supporting child development. Arts and culturally based activities are integrated with literacy and numeracy, psychotherapeutic milieu and group work in an action research model centered in each school. The results are validating significant academic gains and behaviour changes with global functioning improvements though there are gender differences in outcomes.

Abstract #84
Afghanistan-Canada Community Network Creation and Intervention
Presenter: Ahmad Feroz Hematyar Co - Presenter: Owoyemi Ibrahim Segun
Abstract:
ASHNA-AYIA aspires to build sustainable, sound, safe, balanced civic communities of the highest standards for the Afghans in a diverse environment conducive to their growth, development and well-being a legitimate and integral part for cross-border information sharing between Afghanistan-Canada.
The core values of this abstract is to upholds the importance of putting people first an anti-discriminatory, diverse and barrier-free environment of acceptance, tolerance and understanding in order to ensure development of education, empowering youth, providing assistance to displaced proportion of the Afghan communities. Likewise seek cross-border exchange of knowledge, experience and professional development. The core purpose of cross-border co-op is to provide easy access to quality social and community services with professionalism by promoting well-being quality of life for all communities; develop volunteering programs to between both countries to exchange experts for sharing of knowledge/expertise to safeguard transparency; promote Afghan heritage overseas in the context of Canadian life; enhance skills which promote self-sufficiency and work within an anti-discriminatory framework to ensure a respectful, safe inclusive environment to eradicate insurgencies, raise transparency, government programs advocacy and more.
In addition, Community intervention would foster cultural awareness and improved integration of at-risk Afghan youth. Therefore, the focus of the program is on youth development and youth leadership and disability-related components necessary for youth to participate fully in all aspects of their lives and society in order to change the face of the community; likewise to involve community intervention to the peaceful development, transformation and to keep their communities away from crime, illiteracy and darkness.