Humanitarian Collaborative’s Co-Director and Professor of Practice Lucy Bassett presented at a conference in Istanbul, Turkey, “The Developmental and Healing Role of Play,” hosted by Uskudar University. Her talk, titled “Play and storytelling: Strengthening resilience and voice,” explored ways that play can build resilience in children affected by crisis.

Play is essential for young children, particularly those facing hardship, as it enhances their cognitive, social, and emotional development, helping them build resilience and cope with stressors in their environment. In 2024, the United Nations declared June 11 as the International Day of Play to highlight the role and importance of play in human development, particularly in children. The 2025 Congress explored how international programming can support play for both children and adults, contributing to advancing the global development agenda including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).