Having witnessed the evolution of our psychoanalytic community over the last two decades from the three different but complementary regional perspectives and through the vicissitudes of both organizational and global transformations, I have developed a clear understanding about the strengths and weaknesses of the IPA. My involvement with administrative issues of psychoanalytic institutions dates back to the early 80s. I was then Treasurer of the B Group of the British Psycho-Analytical Society, where I trained. Then I held various positions at the Peruvian Psychoanalytical Society, including that of President. I also served as Publications Director to the Latin American Federation of Psychoanalysis where my experience as editor of more than forty books stood me in good stead. My work for the IPA started in 1991 as Co-Chair of the Training Conference in Buenos Aires. Since then I have been a member of various committees and held the positions of Associate Secretary, Vice-President and Treasurer. I have also organized a number of successful psychoanalytic and interdisciplinary international meetings which meant developing some expertise in both fund-raising and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue.
At the moment I am the Academic Consultant to the Master Program in Psychoanalytic Theoretical Studies, which I organized for the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, by large the most prestigious Peruvian university. I have also been a Visiting Professor to the George Washington University. This gave me the opportunity of getting acquainted with the Academia, the psychoanalytic community and the cultural life in the States in addition to the chance to make many good friends.
My understanding of the structure and functioning of the IPA leads me to establish some priorities. The most important ones are: a) the need to work in conjunction with our regional and local psychoanalytic organizations, b) affirming the primacy of the scientific and training activities over the political-bureaucratic demands with its corresponding reform of the budget allocations. This means the articulation of scientific congresses and research with publications as well as the integration of the tasks of the executive… with a Scientific Office, c) a greater attention to the needs of the membership (reduction of congress registration fees, lecturers exchange, professional status, etc.).
In order to ensure the viability of psychoanalysis in this global era, we need to focus on strengthening our academic, scientific and professional basis and extend the presence of psychoanalysis in our communities. Of course, this implies some institutional reforms that can respectfully address regional differences without endangering the unity of our international institution. The implementation of these main strategic goals require the full use of the new information technologies as well as efficacy and efficiency, transparency and accountability. In this way our institution can achieve the standards of democratic governance that are needed.
Moisés Lemlij practices in lima, Peru.