November 27, 2007
International Council of Psychologists: August 2007 Golden Edition
Professor Mihai Anitei
Chair of Psychology
Bucharest University
The year 2007 marks the 65th golden anniversary and a strong sense of well deserved pride in the ICP history.
Photo 1. San Diego, California
The purpose of ICP is to advance psychology and the application of its scientific findings throughout the world.
International Council of Psychologists: Founding, History and Development
Founded November 25th, 1941, The International Council of Psychologists is an association committed to advancing the science and practice of psychology, to promoting its role in society, to encouraging the use of psychological principles to enhance the development of a healthy society, and to fostering goodwill among psychologists around the world.
The International Council of Psychologists traces its roots back to 1941 when a group of women psychologists in the United States organized the National Council of Women Psychologists (NCWP) to contribute to the American war effort during World War II. Though there was discussion at the end of WWII about disbanding, instead the organization expanded to include a more international focus.
In 1946, because of interest from Canadian psychologists, NCWP changed its name to International Council of Women Psychologists (ICWP) and extended invitations of membership to women psychologists from other countries.
By 1959, a number of male psychologists expressed interest in joining, and by 1960 the ICWP went through another name change to become the International Council of Psychologists (ICP).
In 1981, ICP was recognized as a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Since that time, designated ICP members represent ICP throughout the year and at major international conferences offering workshops and lectures and supporting resolutions for presentations at the General Assembly of the UN and at conferences sponsored by the UN Council in New York, Geneva, and Vienna.
The following Goals implement this mission:
o To foster scientific leadership in issues prevalent on the global—universal—international agenda
o To encourage the use of psychological knowledge for a more healthy and supportive environment throughout the world
o To share psychological knowledge and experience through conference events and continuing education workshops with cross-cultural/cross-national focus.
o To enrich professional communication among individual psychologists
This year convention theme is “Peace, Hope and Well-Being across the Cultures”, with the state of the art approaches represented by the specially invited renowned keynotes as well as the ICP members.
There was provided a vehicle of discussion on global psychology and the issue of pandemic fear, human conflict and trauma in all its forms with hopes to spark in dissolution toward peace.
All Conference sessions was held at San Diego Westgate Hotel.
Photo 2 West Gate Hotel, San Diego.
Main topics highlighted the role of the psychologist in: Developmental Well-Being; Trauma Recovery and Resiliency; Hardness: the Courage to Grow the Stresses; Recent research into dealing more effectively with criminals whiting the criminal system; Climate Change, Disasters & Mass Trauma: Prepareness, Prevention & Healing; Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs.
The workshops were focused on the following theses: Challenging behaviors among people with developmental disabilities: a model for psychological intervention; the challenge of helping the families of military services members; Affect regulation toolbox for the Overactive Client and Ethical Principles for a global Psychology.
Photo 3 Psychologysts, ICP's members
The participants at the “Conversation Session” debated the importance of the main aspects of: “Collaborative Conflict Resolution: An Essential Key to Personal, Family, and Societal Well-Being” and “A Conversation on the Global Professionalization of the Psychology”.
The paper session debated thesis focused on: Social and health Programs; Resilience in Families of Individuals with Disabilities; Cross-Cultural Health Issues; Clinical Applications of Partheory Measures in Relational Therapy; Global Psychology: Spirit Mind And Body; Advances in Cross-Cultural Research on Moral Development; Resilience and Eastern Healing; Creativity and Development; Gender and Culture Issue; Values, Memory and Consciousness and Global Application of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Concept.
The Poster session embraced the main aspects of the: Resilience and the Impact of Education on Neuropsychological Assessment of Executive Functions in Normal Aging; Social Problems; Support Systems, Trauma and Human Sustainability; Violence and Treatment; School and Youth Issues and Teaching of Psychology.
Photo 4 Poster Session
At the Special Invited Session “ICP at the United Nations” were invited renowned psychologists: Florence Denmark, Pace University, NY, USA; Anna Laura Comunian, University of Padua, Italy; Margot Nadien, Fordham University, NY, USA; Eva Sandis, Fordham University, NY, USA, Robert Wesner, NY, USA.
Photo 5 Prof. Mihai Anitei, Romania; President Elect of ICP Chock, Hiew; Executive president of ICP Anna Laura Comunian, Padua University.
The 65th golden anniversary of the International Council of Psychology offered to the participants a special opportunity to exchange experience and debated the specific and acute problems of this profession that plays a special role in optimizing the activity in all sectors in which the Resilience, Human Trauma, Climate Change, Disaster and Developmental Well-Being are primary objectives to a better world.