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US ACADEMICS LEARN FROM BRITISH VETERANS EXPERT - June 2008

Top academics attending a two-day summit in Switzerland in September are to be addressed by a British expert on military service and homelessness.

Wing Commander (Retired) Dr Hugh Milroy, the CEO of London-based charity Veterans Aid, will be the only presenter who is not a full time university teacher. His invitation, from the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, is an acknowledgement of his singular expertise in the subject.

Milroy, who chairs the Ex-Services Action Group, will explain how social exclusion, poverty and family issues contribute to the problem of homelessness among the veterans community.

A committed advocate of delivering instant help, when and where it's needed, Milroy is an outspoken debunker of myths about the connection between military service and homelessness: “Most veterans are successful in making the transition from military service to civilian life – my focus is on the few who are not and how they can best be helped. This involves looking at the wider social context and ways in which community intervention can break the pattern.

“Veterans Aid is pioneering and open minded in its approach to support and keen to engage with organisations at all levels to address the issues. These include government agencies, universities, emergency services, other charities, and alternative therapy providers.

“I am delighted to have been invited to share my experience with US and UK colleagues committed to the same objectives.”

Dr Jay Mancini, Senior Research Fellow at ISCE, Virginia's top research university, said "Dr. Milroy is uniquely qualified to speak to the nature of transformation and change, and the contexts in which they occur, due to his research and professional practice experience with homelessness.

"His programme at Veterans Aid is centered on well-being, rather than welfare. This is an enormous shift from conventional thinking about improving the lot of homeless individuals and families. Those of us who have organised the Switzerland conference on transformation and change are looking forward to his perspective on what it takes to enact change under dire circumstances, including those environmental influences that are so significant to that change. "

ENDS

EDITORS NOTE: For interviews, pictures or further information about this story, or the wider role of Veterans Aid, please contact media@veterans-aid.net on 07806 920087 or visit www.veterans-aid.net.