The XXXII General Assembly of the members of the Pontifical Academy for Life will take place on 1–2 March 2027at the Augustinianum Conference Centre in Rome. As part of the Assembly, an international workshop will be dedicated to the theme of mental distress, bringing together experts from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds to reflect on one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Across the world, available data point to a significant and worrying increase in mental distress, affecting people at every stage of life. From children and adolescents to adults and older persons, the growing prevalence of psychological suffering calls for renewed scientific, ethical and social reflection.
The workshop will explore the principal causes of this phenomenon and examine the different ways in which mental distress is understood and addressed across diverse geographical and cultural contexts. By fostering interdisciplinary and international dialogue, the meeting aims to deepen understanding of the complex factors that contribute to mental health challenges and to identify paths towards more effective and humane responses.
In a world that is increasingly interconnected, competitive and marked by geopolitical tensions, where interpersonal relationships are becoming ever more complex, the Pontifical Academy for Life considers it both timely and necessary to devote its annual General Assembly to a topic that has become an urgent global priority. The initiative reflects the Academy's commitment to promoting an integral vision of the human person and to encouraging dialogue between the life sciences, ethics, the social sciences and faith in addressing the challenges that affect human dignity today.
S A V E T H E D A T E
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
“Unseen Wounds:
Mental suffering and care”
March 1st – 2nd, 2027
Augustinianum Institute
Via Paolo VI, 25 – Rome (Italy)
THE EVENT PROGRAM IS BEING FINALISED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE IN THE COMING DAYS.
GENERAL INFORMATION
PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
The Workshop will be accessible in person or remotely.
DATES AND VENUE
The Workshop is organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV). It will be held on March 1-2, 2027, at the Augustinianum Conference Centre, via Paolo VI, 25, Rome (Italy).
PARTICIPATION FEES
In person: €60. To register in person: LINK
Remote: €30. To regiser remotely: LINK
SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION
Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, Italian, French, and Spanish for both in-person and
online participants.
To receive a headset, you will be asked to leave an ID document, which will be returned when you hand back the receiver.
POSTER SESSION
Poster presentation is admitted during the congress.
For general information and posters submission, please see the "Poster Session" section at the top right.
INCLUDED IN THE IN-PERSON REGISTRATION FEE
- Admission to the Workshop
- Conference material
- Personal badge
- Simultaneous interpretation in the specified languages
- Abstract book
- Coffee breaks
- Certificate of participation
- Lunch boxes
NOT INCLUDED IN THE IN-PERSON REGISTRATION FEE
Travel and accommodation expenses are not included and must be arranged individually by each participant.
Any costs not explicitly listed under "Included in the in-person registration fee" are not covered.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Here you can find a non-exhaustive list of accommodation options near the venue, mainly religious institutions.
DISCUSSION SESSIONS
During the discussion sessions, participants may ask questions in writing by filling out the question forms found in the conference bags. These forms will be handed to the speakers. Additional forms can be requested from the staff in the room.
Remote participants can submit questions through the chat.
CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
Certificates of participation, for both in-person and remote attendees, can be requested by email (events@pav.va) after the Workshop and will be sent as a PDF attachment.
VISA
Participants who need a visa to travel to Italy are kindly asked to notify the organizers well in advance, as visa processing can take time.
