Symposium '200 Years of Breaking Chains'
On September 30th 2015, the symposium ‘200 Years of Breaking Chains’ took place in the Museum Dr. Guislain of the Brothers of Charity. Bro. Réne Stockman, general superior of the Brothers of Charity and president of Fracarita International, gave an overview of 200 years of mental health care by the Brothers of Charity.
Two international speakers gave a state of affairs on the present mental health care situation in their own country (Burundi and Indonesia respectively) and the efforts made by the Brothers of Charity in that field. There was also a panel discussion, led by experts in mental health care on ethical questions with regard to compulsory confinement. Afterwards, the exhibition ‘Out of the Shadows’ was officially opened. The symposium ended with the première of a documentary.
Detailed program:
Bro. Dr. René Stockman, general superior of the Brothers of Charity and president of Fracarita International, outlined the history of ‘200 Years of Breaking the Chains’.
Bro. Hippolyte Manirakiza, director of the Burundian Centre Neuro-Psychiatrique Kamenge (CNPK), described the situation of mental health patients in the center.
Bro. Martin De Porres, Continental Coordinator of Asia, described the situation of mental health patients in Asia.
Panel discussion with Jan Delvaux, Dr. An Haekens, Prof. Dr. Axel Liégeois, Prof. Dr. Joris Vandenberghe and moderator Chris De Nijs.
Opening of the exhibition ‘Out of the Shadows’
Première of the documentary Gestoorde Geesten (ENG: Deranged Spirits) by Leslie Hodge and Roel Nollet, in collaboration with Te Gek!? and Dr. Guislain Museum.
