The Thirty eighth IPA Congress, held in Amsterdam July 25-30, saw the installation of the organization's first Latin American president, Horacio Etchegoyen of Argentina, and the first impact of the democratic changes brought about during the term of outgoing president Joseph Sandler.
The Executive Council labored long and hard over proposed changes in the constitution and bylaws, which were presented by Sandler to the Wednesday business meeting. Discussion centered not on the proposals themselves, which had been provided to Society presidents before the meeting, but on the issue of voting. The procedure suggested by the president, of voting at the business meeting on what later would be ratified by mail ballot (the mail ballot being one of the radical changes introduced under Sandler) was criticized by many North and South American members, as well as some among the French delegation. Sensing the mood of change, Past President Robert Wallerstein suggested that a straw vote be taken, a nonbinding vote the results of which could be indicated to the general membership on presentation of the mail ballot. This arrangement too was criticized, with many members arguing that if the changes were important, the general membership should be fully informed, not just those present at the meeting; if they were not important, there was little reason to follow an old procedure that might increase the disaffection felt by many members toward the IPA.
In the recent election, three vice presidents for the North American Region were elected. Otto Kernberg was returned to office, and Harold Blum and Charles Hanly (of Toronto) were elected for the first time.
The IPA Program Committee—its tireless German chair, co-chair Robert Tyson representing North America, and the many consultants from all regions—worked together to bring off one of the most successful IPA meetings in recent memory.
Major presentations on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday addressed the Congress's theme, The Psychoanalyst's Mind: From Listening to Interaction. Monday's presentation, by Theodore Jacobs of New York, was discussed by André Green of Paris and Leonardo Wender of Buenos Aires. The paper evoked great interest and a lively exchange that continued throughout the meeting. On Tuesday, Jacob Arlow was a main discussant of a paper by Argentina's Madeleine Baranger. On Thursday, Roy Schafer responded to Dennis Duncan's presentation on a panel chaired by David Sachs. The Congress was unusual in that recognized analysts rarely reveal the nature of their work so publicly; as do many innovations, this unprecedented candor stirred great anxiety and controversy.
Other North Americans quite active at the meeting were Owen Renik, chairing a Meet the Author panel on Joyce McDougall's Theatre of the Body; Peter Giovacchini. who led a discussion group on The Use of Psychoanalysis with Psychotic Patients; Harold Blum on the Pre-Congress Panel; Helen Myers, providing Psychoanalytic Perspectives on the Infertility Surrogacy and the New Reproductive Techniques; Peter Blos Jr., coordinating the panel on Adolescent Analysis; Paulina Kernberg addressing Professional Ethical Conduct; Milton Jucovy, examining The Impact of the Holocaust on the Next Generation; Ted Shapiro, considering Multilingualism; and Otto Kernberg, presenting along with Hanna Segal, on a heavily attended panel chaired by Arnold Cooper, Dialogue on Countertransference.
On Friday the Congress was closed with a thoughtful appraisal of the future by incoming president Horacio Etchegoyen.
Those arriving early in Amsterdam for the Training Analyst Conference or the Executive Council meeting on the weekend were able to enjoy a buffet-cruise to an island in the Zuider Zee. Festivities during the week were similarly informal, full of food and drink and lively encounters. Following the example of the Buenos Aires meeting, Dutch analysts opened their homes to participants on the Sunday evening before the meeting. In a country where English is an almost universal second language, open and friendly exchanges marked the entire week for North Americans.
Highlights were the Municipal Reception on Wednesday, held in historic Old Church and featuring a short Bach recital, and Friday's Farewell Party at the Grand Hotel Krasrankolsky.
In 1995 North Americans will host the IPA Congress in San Francisco.
IPA meets in Amsterdam. Welcoming Reception, July 25, 1993