The International Psycho-Analytical Association held its 32nd Congress in Helsinki from July 26th to 31st, preceeded by a two-and-one-half day Pre-Congress in the same location.
The Congress was attended by over 1500 registered individuals, a number ranking it with the Paris, London and Jerusalem Congresses of past years. Only the New York Congress and Vienna Congress had higher attendance in the past decade. Attendance, however, was primarily from Europe and Latin America. Registration from the United States was unusually low, representing about 30% of the registrants, whereas usually American registrants range up to 50% of those attending a Congress. Whether this reduced number from the United States has any significance, other than representing the economic situation, is unclear.
The Pre-Congress, devoted to the topic, “The Selection and Function of the Training Analyst”, started with the circulation of three papers from the various regions of the IPA (Europe, North America, and South America), as well as a summary of the results of a questionnaire concerning the practices of institutes around the world on selection and function of the training analyst. These statistical data, presented to the participants in the Pre-Congress, provided the basis of much of the discussion during the two days in which small groups met. At the concluding plenary session, which drew a large audience, Dr. Joseph Sandler of Jerusalem summarized the precirculated papers and the statistical data, following which Dr. Edward Weinshel of San Francisco presented a detailed summary of the small group discussions.
The main theme of the scientific presentations of the Congress, itself, was “Early Psychic Development as Manifest in Adult Psychoanalysis.” The key papers in the plenary sessions were given by Dr. Hanna Segal of London and Dr. Albert Solnit of New Haven. Taking off from the main theme of the Congress, both Drs. Segal and Solnit presented richly rewarding papers, illustrated by much clinical material to show the manifestations of early psychic development as seen in adult psychoanalysis. Both speakers assumed early psychic development to reflect the inner and outer impact of development in the first several years of life. The contributions of these two speakers were further considered, both in discussions from the floor as well as in twenty small discussion groups in various languages with selected leaders.
During the following days of the Congress, plenary papers included those given by Dr. Dale Boesky of Detroit on “Acting Out in the Psychoanalytic Situation”, by Dr. Roy Schafer of New York on “The Relevance of the ‘Here and Now’ Transference Interpretation to the Reconstruction of Early Development”, by Dr. Horacio Etchegoyen of Buenos Aires, and by Dr. Scott Dowling from Cleveland, who presented clinical material on
“Dreams and Dreaming in Relation to Trauma in Childhood.” The plenary sessions at which these papers were presented were again followed by discussion groups headed by appropriate leaders. There were 40 scientific papers presented by analysts from all around the world, half of them coming from the United States. In addition, there was a special late afternoon plenary session, in which Dr. Muriel Gardner of Pennington, New Jersey, presented data and information from her work concerning “The Wolf Man”. At the closing session on Friday, Dr. James McLaughlin of Pittsburgh presented an excellent hour-long summary of the presentations given during the week.
The Organizing Committee of the Congress had arranged an extensive social program which took full advantage of the quiet charm of Helsinki. The city of Helsinki gave a formal reception to the Congress participants, utilizing its 250 year-old City Hall as the site for a sumptuous reception. In addition, there was an opening reception sponsored by the Finnish Psychoanalytic Society. The closing dinner was held at a waterside resort restaurant and featured folk dancing and magic, along with a dinner of Finnish delicacies, such as reindeer steak, cloud-berries, etc.
On the business side of the Congress, it was agreed that the 1983 Congress should be held in Madrid rather than in Rio de Janeiro, and arrangements will be made accordingly. The 1985 Congress will be held in Hamburg, Germany, but no decision was made about the 1987 Congress other than to note the reception of an invitation from the Canadian Psychoanalytic Association to organize a Congress in Montreal.
The new officers of the International Psycho-Analytical Association include Dr. Adam Limentani of London as President, Mr. Moses Laufer of London as Secretary, and Dr. Francis McLaughlin of Baltimore as Treasurer. American Vice Presidents on the Executive Council include Dr. Albert Solnit of New Haven, Dr. Robert Wallerstein of San Francisco, and Dr. Edward Weinshel of San Francisco. Dr. Kenneth Calder was appointed Associate Secretary for North America, while Dr. Edward Joseph assumes the office of Past President for the coming Executive Council.
On the administrative side, the Psychoanalytic Societies in Madrid and Lisbon were accepted as fully accredited components of the IPA, while the Psychoanalytic Study Group in Mendoza, Argentina, was made a Provisional Society. In addition, a new Study Group in Cordoba, Argentina was organized, as was one in Lima, Peru. This development of Full Societies, Provisional Societies, and Study Groups reflects the continued educational and scientific development of psychoanalysis in many regions of the world. Such activities are an important part of the work of the IPA.
Of special interest was the attendance for the first time of a number of colleagues from eastern European countries, such as Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. Their presence added to the international flavor of the Congress and facilitated the scientific and social interchanges that took place.
The excellence of the convention accommodations at Finlandia Hall, an architectural delight designed by Altoo Alvar, as well as good hotel accommodations and excellent activities, made for a thoroughly enjoyable meeting, both scientifically and socially. To this observer, the 32nd IPA Congress was an outstanding event.
Edward D. Joseph, M.D.
New York