Pre-Congresses on training were established in 1965 for the purpose of exchanging concepts and experiences among training analysts throughout the world. Elizabeth Zetzel, was of major importance in the first Pre-Congress in Amsterdam in 1965, carrying out organizing functions herself which later were done by teams. The topic discussed at this Amsterdam meeting was Problems of Training Analysis. The theme was introduced by a paper of that title by Phyllis Greenacre (Psychoanalytic Quarterly 35: 540-567, 1966).
The second Pre-Congress in Copenhagen, in 1967, had as its theme, The Evaluation of Applicants for Psychoanalytic Training. The third Pre-Congress in Rome, in 1969, was on supervision.
The fourth Pre-Congress in Vienna, in 1971, was on The Assessment of Student Progress. Prior to this meeting, responses to a questionnaire were distributed by Pearl King. Leo Stone gave the opening address, and the meeting was summarized by Victor Calef (Int. J. Psa., 53, 1972, 37-43).
The fifth Pre-Congress in Paris, in 1973, discussed The Training Analyst and the Difficulties in the Psychoanalytic Training Situation.
The most recent Pre-Congress in London, considered the topic, The Contribution of Child Analysis and Child Development Theory to the Training in Adult Analysis. Introductory comments were made by Anna Freud, Robert Wallerstein, Evelyne Kestemberg, and Serge Lebovici. A summary, which will be published in the International Journal of Psycho-Analysis in the near future, was presented by Robert Wallerstein.
For me, the Pre-Congresses offer the advantage of allowing intimate contact with colleagues because participants (100 to 200) meet in discussion groups of 10 to 15. Local, even national, idiosyncracies are exposed with at least the potential for improvement. Inevitably the differences compel reflection on the essential goals in analysis and psychoanalytic training and the means by which these goals can best be achieved.
The personal gratifications from Pre-Congresses have been considerable. One is compelled to evaluate or re-evaluate the evidence which supports what one does. Further, one has the privilege, through the papers and discussions, of keeping abreast of the thinking of others. The American Psychoanalytic Association also provides a service to others, since we may bring to international colleagues the benefits of studies over many years of varied topics related to training
by our Association and its component institutes. One also learns about the quality of thinking of analysts in different countries; sometimes this knowledge is highly useful for referrals. And there are many pleasures from international friendships established through various I.P.A. activities, not only from the Pre-Congresses. In brief, it's fun.