As with COVID-19, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has created a new, unfamiliar and scary situation for students the world over.  Feelings that students are experiencing due to this war are significant and need to be addressed. This is a challenge that is not going to end soon and once again for schools, this is uncharted waters that we are in.
To provide support for International Schools, The School Collaborative has created a forum on Geopolitical Conflict hosted and moderated by Dr Douglas Walker and Meredith Herold - https://www.theschoolcollaborative.com/forums/forum/99-wellbeing/
International Schools have a unique dynamic that presents opportunities and challenges when addressing geopolitical conflict with students. In support of this, The School Collaborative will be hosting regular sessions where schools can join to discuss, ask questions, share best practice and learn from experts. Please join our first of a bi-weekly series of talks addressing Geopolitical Conflict.
Born out of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The School Collaborative is a free, volunteer led resource for International Schools to ask questions, share best practice and learn from experts. 
Please Register for this event at https://bit.ly/Geopolitical_Conflict
In our next session, we will be joined by students from The Heritage International School in Moldova as they deal with the invasion of Ukraine and the potential threat they face in Moldova.  Our discussion will be supported by the panel below as they discuss coping strategies that schools can employ to address the concerns and fears that your own students may face. Please see this video on addressing the thoughts of these students at the start of the invasion at the bottom of this post.
 
Our Panel Includes:
Dr. Douglas Walker Chief Programs Director at Mercy Family Center in the USA
Doug has extensive experience and insights dealing with trauma, crisis and international schools. Doug has provided trauma support to crisis including the 2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake, Tsunami, and severe nuclear reactor accidents of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant as well as hurricane Katrina.
Rob Ford - Director, HERITAGE International School, Chisinau, Moldova
Rob has been an educator for nearly 30 years, a history and politics teacher, a school leader in various schools in the UK and was principal of Wyedean School in the UK, before being appointed as Director of Heritage International School Group. Heritage is the first international school in Moldova, an accredited member of COBIS, an ET winning school and recognised by the British Council with their International School Award. Rob is a long serving British Council schools' ambassador, a Varkey/TFF2030/UNICEF global school leader and speaks & advises on global education and school leadership internationally.  
Meredith Herold - Senior Consultant, Penbrae Consulting
Meredith has extensive experience in the private and public sector including Hospitals, community and international schools. She is a registered nurse specialised in paediatrics, midwife and maternal & child health nurse. In addition, she has qualifications in Health and Safety. Meredith has developed process and strategies to support schools in ensuring staff are competent and students are safe. 
Tatiana Popa - Head of Global Education & Hybrid Learning Coordinator, Heritage International School, Chisinau, Moldova
Tatiana has been working with the Heritage International School for the past 5 years and has been actively working with students as they seek ways to cope with and support those affected by this crisis.
Born out of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The School Collaborative is a free, volunteer led resource for International Schools to ask questions, share best practice and learn from experts. 
Please Register for this event at https://bit.ly/Geopolitical_Conflict
@Doug Walker @Meredith Herold