Programme
The AFT Conference 2023 is packed with informative and relevant content from renowned and up and coming speakers. We really hope you enjoy the programme. Please note that speakers, timings are subject to change.
All times are listed in United Kingdom time (British Summer Time - BST) (UTC +1)
Key

Keynote sessions are the main conference presentations

Discussion sessions follow each keynote and are an interactive discussion format.

Some sessions take place in parallel with other sessions. You will need to choose which session you attend.
Printable Programme - for a printable PDF version of the programme, please click here.
Day 1 - Thursday 14 September
08:45
Pre-conference - Mindfulness meditation - Preparing for the conference. Inviting an emotional embodied posture of tranquility: calming our mind with awareness and reflection
30 mins
Shan Tate
09:15
Introduction and Welcoming Remarks
30 mins
Professor Hannah Sherbersky (AFT CEO)
Karen Carberry (AFT Acting Chair)
Kate Waters (CFCSP Chair)
Tanya Smart (CONFETTI Chair)
09:45
Keynote - Meeting the man who killed my Dad - the hardest bridge to build
1 hour
Jo Berry
Building Bridges for Peace

10:45
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
11:00
Discussion - with Jo Berry
30 mins
Jo Berry
Building Bridges for Peace

11:45
Keynote - Promoting Healing with Families who have Experienced Complex Trauma
1 hour
Arlene Healey
Arlene Healey Family Consultation


11:45
Keynote - Missing in action: Family Therapy and Global Mental Health Movement
1 hour
Dr Temitope Ademosu
Birmingham City Council


12:45
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
13:00
Discussion - with Arlene Healey
30 mins
Arlene Healey
Belfast Family Trauma Centre


13:00
Discussion - with Dr Temitope Ademosu
30 mins
Dr Temitope Ademosu
London Borough of Hackney


13:30
Lunch
45 mins
Time for lunch...
14:15
Keynote - Healing The Rift: Supporting Parents in Conflict Through Systemic Family Therapy
1 hour
Kam Kaur
Samantha Wilkinson
Dr Jon Symonds


14:15
Keynote - Releasing potential: Fostering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), embracing neurodiversity, inspiring collective change, and cultivating peace
1 hour
Kenyah Nyameche
Changing-I Ltd


15:15
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
15:30
Discussion - with Kam Kaur
30 mins
Kam Kaur
Samantha Wilkinson
Dr Jon Symonds


15:30
Discussion - with Kenyah Nyameche
30 mins
Kenyah Nyameche
Changing-I Ltd


16:00
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
16:15
Keynote - Building New Democratic Worlds for Conflict Transformation: The Value of Leading with Skillful Improvisation, Inclusion, and Intangible Assets
1 hour
Dr Don Waisanen
City University of New York

17:15
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
17:30
Discussion - with Dr Don Waisanen
30 mins
Dr Don Waisanen
City University of New York

18:00
Day 1 Close
Day 2 - Friday 15 September
09:15
Day 2 Introduction and Welcoming Remarks
20 mins
Professor Hannah Sherbersky (AFT CEO)
Karen Carberry (AFT Acting Chair)
Kate Waters (CFCSP Chair)
Tanya Smart (CONFETTI Chair)
09:35
Keynote - Eliminating ethnic inequalities in health, care, and research - laudable vision or impossible dream?
1 hour
Professor Dawn Edge
University of Manchester

10:35
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
10:50
Discussion - Professor Dawn Edge
30 mins
Professor Dawn Edge
University of Manchester

11:20
Break
10 mins
Time for a coffee...
11:30
Keynote - Student Presentations - "An Exploration of the experiences of South Asian female Systemic Psychotherapists working in the NHS" by Alimun Nessa and "Building Connections: Social Workers and CAMHS Practitioners" by Lynn Gardiner
1 hour
Student Presenters
Trainee Systemic Psychotherapists
Lynn Gardiner
Alimun Nessa


11:30
Keynote - Diversity Working Party - Bridges…It’s not just a short cut or straight forward
1 hour
Shakira Maknoon (Race Group)
John Burnham (Race Group)
Jennifer Achan (Race Group)
Prudencia Woode (Race Group)
Samuel Angus (Ableism Group)
Linda Pow (Ableism Group)
AFT Diversity Working Party


12:30
Lunch
1 hour
Time for lunch...
12:40
Artistic Session - Building Bridges for Peace (re-run)
30 mins
Elaine Holliday
13:30
Discussion - with Student Presenters
30 mins
Student Presenters
Trainee Systemic Psychotherapists
Lynn Gardiner
Alimun Nessa


13:30
Discussion - with Diversity Working Party
30 mins
Diversity Working Party
Shakira Maknoon (Race Group)
John Burnham (Race Group)
Jennifer Achan (Race Group)
Prudencia Woode (Race Group)
Samuel Angus (Ableism Group)
Linda Pow (Ableism Group)
AFT Diversity Working Party


14:00
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
14:15
Keynote - Building TRUST Healing Communities
1 hour
Dr Selam Kidane
University of West London


15:15
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
15:30
Discussion - with Dr Selam Kidane
30 mins
Dr Selam Kidane
University of West London


16:00
Break
15 mins
Time for a coffee...
16:15
Keynote - Thupten Jinpa Langri
1 hour
Thupten Jinpa Langri
The Compassion Institute

17:15
Closing Remarks with the Diversity Working Party
30 mins
Shakira Maknoon (Race Group)
John Burnham (Race Group)
Jennifer Achan (Race Group)
Prudentia Woode (Race Group)
Samuel Angus (Ableism Group)
Linda Pow (Ableism Group)
Sarah Favier (Gender Sexuality Group)
Rosie Buckland (Gender Sexuality Group)
Professor Hannah Sherbersky (AFT CEO)
Karen Carberry (AFT Acting Chair)
Kate Waters (CFCSP Chair)
Tanya Smart (CONFETTI Chair)
17:45
Conference Close