Above (left): SPSSI UN/NGO Representative and Committee Chair Rachel Ravich welcomes attendees to the event. Above (right): SPSSI UN/NGO Representative Corann Okorodudu receives a special recognition for her many years of service to the Psychology Coalition of Accredited NGOs at the UN.

Click here to watch a recording of the event on UN Web TV.

SPSSI co-sponsored the 2016 Psychology Day at the United Nations, which was held on April 28, 2016. Organized in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of El Salvador and Palau, this half-day event focused on the theme “From Vulnerability to Resilience: Using Psychology to Address the Global Migration Crisis."

As noted by the organizers in the event program, forced migration is an overwhelming crisis today on the international stage, both in scope and in complexity, and affects every region of the world. Migration, in particular the forced migration of refugees fleeing conflict and economic depression, is a cross-cutting issue bearing significant relevance to the UN agenda. Accordingly, this program examined the global migration crisis through Human Rights, Psychological, and Intercultural Perspectives. Presenters discussed how psychological science and practice are informing, and can better inform, the work of civil society and governmental responses. Across the presentations, speakers also discussed how psychology is relevant to the UN 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.

Highlights of Psychology Day included: A panel on “Children, Youth, and the Migration Crisis” moderated by SPSSI UN/NGO Representative and Chair Rachel Ravich, which also featured a presentation by SPSSI member Dina Birman on “Needs, Rights, and Well-Being of Migrant Children and Youth;” a special award of recognition from the co-chairs of Psychology Day, Rashmi Jaipal and Roseanna L. Flores, to SPSSI UN/NGO Representative Corann Okorodudu for her many years of service to the Psychology Coalition of Accredited NGOs at the UN; and remarks by H.E. Ambassador Ruben I. Zamora (of El Salvador) and H.E. Ambassador Dr. Caleb Otto (of Palau).

The Psychology Day 2016 Planning Committee included SPSSI UN/NGO Representatives Corann Okorodudu, Rachel Ravich (Committee Chair), and Peter Walker.