Change at the Journal: Further Steps in Internationalisation

Some readers will be aware that in the past few years a debate has taken place both within the British Psychoanalytical Society and in the wider international community, including the International Psychoanalytical Association, about the anomalous situation whereby for historic reasons it is the Institute of Psychoanalysis in London, established by Ernest Jones and John Rickman for the purpose, that publishes the International Journal of Psychoanalysis. This has meant that since Ernest Jones took over the project in the middle of the First World War it has been members of the British Society who have edited the Journal and been responsible for its control and management, despite the fact that there has always been a large degree of increasingly active and invaluable participation by international colleagues, as through the North American, European and Latin American Boards.

The trustees of the Board of the Institute of Psychoanalysis in London, who through succeeding generations have ultimately controlled the Journal and brought it to its present situation, have for the last twelve months conducted a debate internally and externally about the way in which they exercise control. As a result, they have now decided to take a number of important steps aimed at strengthening the independence of the Journal and making it still more truly international.

A new body, formally devolved from the British Institute, is to be constructed, with overseas membership, to be arrived at after a process of international consultation, to take on the governance of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis (incorporating the International Review of Psycho-Analysis).

The Board of Guardians will have direct operational responsibility for the Journal in two main areas. It will appoint editors, oversee their work and the objectives they are setting and achieving, and ensure that a facilitating and controlled environment is provided for them. It will also oversee planning and