Dr. Joel Brown, executive director of The Center for Educational Research
and Development (CERD), offered a keynote speech at an international conference
in Germany entitled “Risk and Chance: New Ways of Addiction Prevention,” held
earlier this year. The conference and workshops are part of a larger, five-year
interdisciplinary project at Heidelberg University, sponsored by the German
Research Council, the Mentor Foundation, and the United Nations Committee for
Children. Her Majesty, Queen Silvia of Sweden, honorary chairperson of the
Mentor Foundation, opened the proceedings.
Dr. Joel Brown’s presentation was entitled “ResilDrugEd-Development
and intentional self integration of strengths-based youth prevention education.” More
than 50 top research scientists from all over the world participated in the
week-long conference.
“There is a distinct difference between preventing a problem and promoting
the kinds of student emotional and intellectual development leading to successful
life outcomes. Despite a 40-year research legacy, only recently have practitioners/researchers
engaged in the explicit, prospective facilitation of resilience,” said
Dr. Brown.
Joel Brown, PhD., M.S.W., is an expert in the field of Resilience-based youth
and human development, particularly concerning and drug related education and
treatment; a tenured professor, and author of several scientific articles,
as well as the new book Resilience Education, (Corwin Press).
Based on work with nationally recognized colleagues at the Center for Educational
Research and Development (CERD.ORG), Dr. Brown introduced international conference
participants to “a dynamic drug prevention approach targeting the human
development, engagement and protective factors of resilience--ones predicting
positive life outcomes. This orientation, among the first of its kind, is scientifically
sound, as well as designed to be intentionally self integrated into the fabric
of young people's lives,” Dr. Brown described.
"Developing resilience at school improves academic performance and strengthens
students' abilities to overcome obstacles in all aspects of life. Most important,
a resilience-focus promotes young people's thriving development--both immediately
and in the long term," said Dr. Brown.
The Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD)—is a non-profit
organization based in San Diego, California. CERD has developed some of the
first practical approaches focusing on strengths as an alternative to current
youth and human development services. Dr. Brown added: “More than just
programs, we embrace the possibility that each person can succeed if the specific
means of developing individual strengths and interests are brought to life.”
