Child Victims of the War An International Conference
MENTAL HEALTH It
- Author:
Robina S. Addis
Regional Representative [Region 12~Provisional National Council for Mental Health The Zurich international conference on the care of child victims of the war held in September, iy45, a few months after the cessation of hostilities, jyas at once an opportunity and a challenge. Beside he creature sufferings of those deprived of the ?are means of existence?hungry, without shelter, ‘^adequately clothed?there were known to be nousands of children whose framework of life had Deen shattered.
At last such a conference would give the opportunity for expressing the needs of the children in each country. It would also challenge every nation 0 strain its energies towards recovery within its own rentiers and to give what assistance it could elsewhere. Even the countries devastated by fighting ?r paralysed by enemy occupation might have ?mething to offer. Only by co-operation would ?.e Possible to alleviate the mass of suffering.
The care of the homeless, restoration of family “e> education in its widest sense,?these problems j^ust be tackled after immediate first-aid remedies nave been given. Plans must be made now, or it be too late.
Organization by the Swiss
Since 1940 the Swiss have received each year, some 40,000 child victims of the War within their ?rders. As neutrals, they have been able to Preserve contact with other countries, and so are j^ell aware of the miseries throughout Europe. T^nowledge ?f these appalling conditions, combined j lth gratitude for having escaped a similar fate, impels them to offer help. Accordingly, a S^jnmittee of specialists connected with work for of .en’ was f?rmed, with Professor Hanselmann j Zurich University as President. Dr Forel and other psychiatrists, psychologists, educationalists nd representatives of social work organizations ere also members. Piaget gave his name, but fortunately was in London at the time.
This Committee tried to make contact with key Persons in the different countries to select suitable epresentatives, and these were offered three weeks’ ospitality in Switzerland for the duration of the onference. Funds were raised for this by gifts nd many free billets were provided. Sessions ere held in the Zurich Polytechnic and the delegates ere divided into 5 sections :?Social, Medicosychological, Legal, Care of Homeless Children, ultural and Educational. We met daily for PaPers and discussion and each evening there was Public lecture.
The third week was spent visiting institutions onnected with child care. Interest lay chiefly in e manner of running these, rather than in any striking new principle, but Observation Centres in connection with child psychiatric clinics, and a Training Home for delinquent young men, ages 18-30 years, appeared to offer fresh ideas. Everywhere emphasis on long hours of work, both manual and mental, seemed “perhaps a national characteristic rather than a special theory applied to the training of the maladjusted. (The Zurich Gymnasium with its 800 girls, ages 12-19 years, starts work daily at 7.15 a.m.)
Emotional Background
An international meeting so soon after a world war must have a profound effect on each of the participants. 200 delegates from 20 nations met together for the first time in free intercourse after 6 years of isolation from such contacts. They felt as if they had burst their bonds and could join in planning for the future. A freeing of the spirit released new energy and new hope.
The Swiss, who had planned the Conference with great courage and great hope, and were our generous hosts in every detail as well as in broad hospitality, have suffered in spirit during the War. Not only was there the constant strain of standing at defence on their frontiers, but inability to follow their sympathies and act against the evil they saw, had for them its own anguish. Zurich is in German Switzerland with many links over the frontier, and yet the atmosphere here is overwhelmingly pro-British. They were anxious about the attitude of the Allies towards themselves.
To travel on the continent again was, for most of us, an experience of acute emotions. Seeing for ourselves, meeting the people whose history we had followed, and whose fate was bound up with ours, had its poignant moments. Everywhere there were gaps in knowledge of the domestic life of other nations. We could not know the dayto-day existence in an occupied country, and there seemed little understanding of the still effective privations in Britain. On journeys, over meals, by chance words, we gradually learned some of the personal drama.
Perhaps most striking, was to discover that the Resistance Movements had led to a new order of chivalry. Ideals of dedication and service have not only raised its members to incredible heights of courage, persistence and brotherhood, but have to some extent, made them an order apart. This fact must be faced in any scheme for re-organizing a nation, and in particular for using the services of emigres, however devoted has been their work in exile.
Delegates from occupied countries had come through much tribulation. The Poles arrived after a journey lasting eight days, and their appearance aroused much pity. They looked worn and strained and had had to borrow clothing to fit themselves out for the visit. One young woman had, tattooed on her arm, her number in the concentration camp. For all the people from devastated countries, balance seemed precarious. A slight upset or reference to some difficulty would cause a complete change of expression and a sudden emotional violence. It seemed as if their belief in the general stability of the society had been destroyed and a momentary check appeared to them, the end of all security.
A typical example can be given from the reactions of some of the delegates to the ” cordon sanitaire ” measures at the frontier. We had been able to submit with amused interest to the long delays in filling up forms and finally spraying with D.D.T. Not so some of the visitors from countries where they had suffered most. One delegate refused with violence and declared he would rather return to a concentration camp than endure this insult to his person. The refugees from all countries also presented this emotional instability and the Jews in particular seemed to feel there was no more security.
The Resolutions
There could be no dispute of the urgent necessity for’ first-aid measures to preserve life and restore health, and the most the Conference could hope to do was to mobilize voluntary aid and goodwill towards renewed efforts and particularly towards co-operation and to stimulate action by governments. Our object, then was to work out a long term policy, the principles on which the real welfare of the child could be built. It was wisely decided that this could best be done by strengthening existing machinery and above all, by exchange of ideas, material and workers, and by helping each other.
The Resolutions sum up the general discussion and opinion, and were agreed without dispute of principle, except on the question of naturalization of refugees, in which a majority vote threw out the suggestion that it should be compulsory for governments to offer citizenship to children in their care. (The Legal Section, however, expressed a hope that States would take this step.) The suggestion of state responsibility for all children deprived of their families seemed to me, to need further definition and safe-guards.
Besides protecting the legal position of the stateless and abandoned child, it is clearly expressed that provision should be made on a family pattern. It was realized that different forms of care would have to be used to meet the vast numbers involved, but decision as to placement should be based on the needs of the individual child. Where necessary, a full medico-psychological and social investigation should be made, to decide on particular needs, each child was to be treated as an individual. Such principles are in accordance with informed opinions in this country and we are still trying to arrange that it can be carried into practice. When it is realized that these ideas were unanimously accepted by representatives from 20 different countries, our own efforts may be stimulated.
Such recommendations as ” The improvement of the legal status of all illegitimate children ” stand out against a dark background. The problem of the illegitimate child of German paternity looms large in the occupied countries and amongst deported peoples. Emotions run high and a decision of repudiation might be made in the first revulsion of feeling. But a broader humanity? which sees the future of the world in the new generation and knows that education is more than teaching, and derives its force from a whole cultural background, may hesitate to condemn thousands to ostracism. We know what comes of sewing dragon’s teeth.
International Co-operation
Besides begging those who had to share with those who had not, suggestions were made for improved mutual aid between countries. Some of the occupied countries still had trained staff, though they were bereft of material for carrying out their teaching or treatment. Other nations might provide books (a prime need) or other goods.
Improved transport and exchange could work wonders, were resources pooled. It was felt that the various organizations for welfare and education only needed to draw together again. The existing international bodies concerned with child psychiatry, children’s courts, youth movements and education should be given every facility for co-operation. In addition the exchange of ideas and of workers in the social work field should be promoted, and ” an academy of thinkers ” founded, to raise the standards of education.
A Central Registry for the tracing of children and their relatives should be formed and Switzerland might well provide the necessary clearing-house. All these measures would strengthen the links between countries and help persons of goodwill to unite their efforts, which unaided, cannot be effective. On such co-operation between individuals alone can satisfactory government policy be based.
It was re-assuring to learn how much of the machinery for education and child welfare work remains intact. Even in occupied countries, some trained staff were miraculously able to carry on their work, and are now eager to continue and to extend their usefulness. Even the present acute shortage of materials of all kinds need not daunt us, as this might be speedily remedied, whereas trained experts, as we know to our cost, require long preparation.
At the final congress, Dr Bovet (Lausanne), the stimulating chairman of our Medico-Psychological Section, made a moving speech on what we should take away from the Conference. Resolutions, papers, even memories of discussion and friendly contacts would avail nothing for the cause which 1 had brought us together, unless we were inspired by the ideal of the child itself. It might be some Particular loved child which stood for each of us as a symbol, or indeed the image of our own lost childhood. The difficulties and dangers of the World could be overcome only by the spirit.
Whether it was Professor Wallon (Paris) speaking with the broadest humanity on the development of Personality, or Minna Specht, a small and tragic figure, calling for the re-education of the youth of her native Germany, or Col. Wasburne (U.S.A.) telling of the miracles of improvisation which have started a new education in Italy, there seemed a belief rising above the horrors of War which restored to man, the powers of the spirit.
The Swiss stated that they had offered a platform for this Conference and ” remained our servants “. They had no wish to perpetuate the Committee but would keep open a clearing house for comments and suggestions arising from the Conference, and Would welcome practical plans to which they could subscribe. It was felt that they would like to share *n the experience of reconstruction, and would be disappointed if merely material aid, which they have already given generously, were demanded.
Official Representations
Many delegates, such as the Belgians, came officially representing their governments. The Italian Minister of Education himself attended and the French Government is said to have sent a telegram accepting in principle the Resolutions Passed by the Conference. We British delegates had no official mandate and came as individual ^embers, each representing different interests.* Not all stayed the course, and some were able to attend for only a few days. We had had no opportunity for discussion beforehand, and so did not Present a common policy as did, for instance, the ^elgians. M. le Juge Berthelot definitely spoke for his Government and he and his compatriots voted en bloc. At the final passing of the Resolutions, We were grouped in nations and, for the first time, had a difficult meeting.
Conference Policy
Though nationalization of policy seems unsuitable a Conference of our type, it would have been better had the British had discussion before coming and worked out their special contributions. So frequently were we asked what Britain thought or ^as doing about some subject, that we needed to have our minds clear, and to direct our energies aniongst all the many claims for attention. Where every nation, especially the Swiss, looked to us for opinion, if not a lead, it was a heavy responsibility. French members were particularly touching in their eagerness to know our attitudes about many things, and to thank our country.
Dr Dicks in his talk on re-education in Germany, spoke of the apparent disappearance of Nazism and substitution of admiration for the conquerors. He based this on the psychological need of the people for a father?identification which led to such disastrous results under the Nazis. He pointed out its dangers, unless a change is affected in the cultural background as well as in education. But this present reaction gives us a potent opportunity for wise leadership, and this moment, once lost, might never be recaptured. All were agreed that for the peace of the world, there must be a change of heart in Germany. If we can understand and seize the opportunity, we may yet help to save humanity.
A profound effect was caused by the speech of Major Daily, U.S.A., in the first week, when the devastated nations were still pouring out their stories (and we had to let them work through this phase with noticeably better results in the next week). He gave a brief statement on his work as public health doctor in Vienna where, though food is now adequate, sanitary conditions are still so appalling that, in July 1945, 27 per cent, of all the children died. Unless we could give immediate physical help in Austria and Germany, there would be no children there for whom to plan the future. Not much was said at the time, but the whole congress as it warmed and became more infused with broad ideals beyond the frontiers, which had limited us so long, accepted implicitly, that all children, without distinction of nationality, were the victims of War for whom we planned.
Resolutions
The following are some of the points of special interest dealt with in the Resolutions passed at the Conference.
Family Units:
The family is the natural setting for the child. Where this is lacking, individual environment together with close personal relationships must be provided. For this reason, units should be kept small (15-30) and camps should be used only temporarily. Foster-home placement is advocated or Homes arranged on a family pattern.
Child Guidance Principles : Each child should be treated as an individual and his needs studied. A team of specialists should be available for investigation of his needs and where necessary, for his re-education. Training of Staffs: All those who have charge of children, or educate or treat them require special understanding of child development. Teachers should be carefully selected and have ? Britain was represented by the following delegates : Lady Allen of Hurtwood (Nursery Schools Association), Dr. (B rlWrence (National Froebel Foundation), Miss M. Payne (St. Christopher’s Nursery Training School), Col. Dicks 0flpSh Army, Psychiatrist) Prof. Oeser, Kenneth Lindsay, M.P., Dr J. A. Lauwerys (Conference of Allied Ministers J Education), Miss R. S. Addis (Provisional National Council). appropriate training. Each member of the staff of a Medico-Psychological Clinic needs ” special paedagogical training, appropriate to his function in addition to his basic training
Practical courses for staffs of Children’s Homes are advocated and it is suggested that workers with practical experience should be given facilities to complete their theoretical training to obtain a diploma, qualifying for professional work. Students might be accepted for training from abroad and Exchange of staff and ideas between countries be encouraged.
Children’s Courts :
Special Magistrates and procedure should deal with the cases of children and juveniles and there should be an international Children’s Code. Corrective measures should be educational and variable according to the child’s progress.
Stateless Children :
All countries should accept a proportion of stateless children and it is hoped that when they obtain their majority, they will be allowed a free choice of nationalityInternational Co-operation :
Existing machinery should be strengthened and utilized rather than new organization set up. A Central Registry for tracing missing persons, and ” Carnets Medico-Psychologiques ” to record results of special investigation (with proper safeguards to preserve them as confidential) would help to co-ordinate efforts towards rehabilitation.
The existing international bodies for Child Psychiatry, Children’s Magistrates, Education and Social Work should be stimulated to meet and extend their work. The exchange of books should be given priority as a means of promoting international understanding and co-operation.
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