In his seminal paper Analysis Termination and Interminable , Freud examined the limitations for the outcome of psychoanalytic treatment derived from: (a) the constitutionally determined intensity of the drives, (b) the severity of infantile traumas, and (c) the degree of ego alteration produced by defenses.

Fifty years later, the goal of the Montreal Congress was to evaluate the development in each of these three areas, and the implications for psychoanalytic technique of our new knowledge in these areas. In four plenary sessions covering the mornings of the Congress, these areas were explored, anchored each day in one theoretical and one case presentation. Ample time was provided for free discussion by the participants in the plenary sessions.

In addition, three special sections, one on child and adolescent analysis, one on empirical research (on infant observation, affects, and the psychoanalytic process), and one on applied psychoanalysis (the cultural context of Freud's writings, and ideology) took place in the form of two afternoon half-day sessions for each of these themes.

Finally, there were a few special discussion groups on the Holocaust, on Freud in translation, on divorce, and on epistemology. Workshops were conducted by senior colleagues on the major themes of the Congress in all the official languages.

The fundamental nature of the themes of this Congress, and the provision of ample time for free discussion and psychoanalytic encounters across national and language barriers made this a most exciting and rewarding gathering for all of us.

In depth coverage of the 35th International Psychoanalytical Congress will appear in the next issue of the Newsletter.