KICKING OFF THE GAMES: WARRIOR CARE IN THE 21ST CENTURY CONFERENCE Programme
REHABILITATION OF PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY WOUNDED, INJURED AND SICK SERVICE PERSONNEL AND DEALING WITH PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRMENTS
The conference kicks off the INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023 from a medical-scientific perspective, and provides an opportunity for the worldwide exchange of experience and the further development of medical knowledge for the care of wounded, injured and sick service personnel. In addition, it promotes social dialogue on rehabilitation and reintegration.
„BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS – THE WAY BACK TO LIFE“
The care of wounded and injured servicemen and women continues to be a major task for all armed forces on deployment.
How this care can be provided as successfully as possible, and how obstacles on the path of rehabilitation and reintegration towards a new life can be overcome will once again be the subject of the ‘Warrior Care in the 21st Century’ conference, which will take place in Düsseldorf from 6 to 7 September 2023.
In addition to field medicine using the example of current conflicts, the focus will be on psychiatric disorders, new findings on rehabilitation, and on the role of sport as well as family and the social environment in the care of people with disabilities (military and civilian).
Therefore, the conference will also look at the question of ‘What can armed forces learn from civil society and vice versa?’
As well as the opportunity to discuss current developments in an international context, the interdisciplinary integration of pastoral care measures and the financial and social security of those affected will also be examined in greater detail.
The aim is to develop best practice recommendations to improve the care of those wounded, injured and sick on duty in the future.
‘The care of personnel with deployment-related trauma, servicemen and women who have suffered mental and/or physical injuries, is a great challenge for the armed forces and society. The cooperation of all those involved on the basis of a culture of noticing and of approaching each other is essential for success.
It is a matter of overcoming visible and invisible barriers to cooperation, and enabling the best possible return to a new life.’
Brigadier General (MC) Dr Ralf Hoffmann, Chief of Staff Command Medical Service of the Bundeswehr and national Chair of the German Warrior Care Conference 2023
“Optimal medical care, innovative therapy approaches and sports therapy offers are essential building blocks of holistic rehabilitation. However, the effect of our efforts depends crucially on the early and continuous involvement and support of the families. “Family and friends” are for me the key to successful rehabilitation.”
Brigadier General (MC) Dr Jörg Ahrens, PTSD Commissioner at the FMoD
FOR A ‘CULTURE OF NOTICING’
Family members play a significant role in the process of recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into service. It is therefore a matter of particular importance to the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF) to share the scientific findings of the WCC with Family & Friends and competitors as part of an IGF Conversation in the INVICTUS GAMES PARK.
The social exchange with the visitors of the INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023 on the results of the WCC will take place in the ‘Team Respect Area’ (TRA) during the Games. Daily panel sessions create opportunities for encounters and promote the dialogue on dealing with rehabilitation and limitations in order to reduce the fear of contact.
HOLISTIC THINKING ABOUT REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION
The thematic focus of the WCC 2023 is on the treatment and rehabilitation of physically or mentally wounded, injured and sick service personnel, and on dealing with people with impairments. In addition, the conference will address the importance and involvement of Family & Friends as well as the role of pastoral care and social security.
A look at the care of servicemen and women in the context of the conflict in Ukraine illustrates the importance of the topics of the conference, also in view of current world events.
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE FOR BETTER REHABILITATION
In 2015, the USA and the UK launched the ‘Warrior Care in the 21st Century’ initiative. Since 2017, the conference has been held in the run-up to the Invictus Games. Since March 2023, Brigadier Duncan Wilson, Defence Medical Services, UK Ministry of Defence, has been the international chair of Warrior Care in the 21st Century.
‘Warrior Care in the 21st Century’ strengthens cooperation and improves interdisciplinarity between military and medical services. It also promotes the provision of medical and adjuvant measures and therapies for wounded, ill and injured military personnel.
The Federal Ministry of Defence (FMoD) is the organiser of the WCC 2023. The PTSD Commissioner at the FMoD is responsible for the management of the conference and its professional organisation. The INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023 project group is responsible for organising the WCC.
