I have reported on the IPA's new election procedures in earlier issues of TAP. Now it is time to vote. Elections are handled for the IPA by Electoral Reform Ballot Services (ERBS), a London-based, independent, not-for-profit organization with a high reputation for the integrity of its services. ERBS (which has since changed its name to Electoral Reform Services, or ERS) dispatched ballot papers to IPA members at the end of February. The deadline for return of ballot papers to the ERS offices in London is midnight on April 30. They may be returned either by fax or in the mail.
There are two parts to the 2003 elections: ballots for the election of the president-elect, treasurer, and representatives for the new IPA board; and a ballot for a small amendment to the IPA's constitution and by-laws. This amendment covers the issue of the quorum at the IPA's business meeting and is important to ensure that direct members, study groups, and provisional societies can seek advancement within the IPA's structure.
In 2001 only about 20 percent of North American members chose to vote in the IPA elections, compared with 30 percent of Europeans and 50 percent of Latin Americans. Please exercise your democratic right and cast your votes!
I have also outlined the new format of the IPA congress in earlier issues of TAP. The next congress, to be held in Toronto from July 29 through August 2, with the theme “Working at the Frontiers,” is now open for registration on the IPA's Web site, http://www.ipa.org.uk. The site has all the current information on the congress, including selected papers on which members may comment prior to the event. Those who register early—before April 18—will enjoy substantial discounts.
The IPA council met in early January in Miami. Its two-day meeting covered many topics; papers from the meeting are available by writing to the IPA at reception@pa.org.uk. Amongst the subjects covered:
A proposal to create IPA associate centers in countries where there are no IPA societies and no immediate prospect of creating study groups (for example, Paraguay, Turkey, China, and Morocco). An IPA working group has been established to develop this proposal and to report back to the council.
The IPA budget for 2003, which will be somewhat lower than in previous years, given the financial difficulties in Latin America, where dues have had to be reduced for 2003.
The report of the joint IPA/IPSO Working Group. The IPA will now establish a standing committee for relations with IPSO and is moving to establish stronger links with the candidate organization. [See page 9.]
The establishment of an IPA Outstanding Achievement Award. This may be granted each congress year to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the relationship between psychoanalysis and other fields. The IPA's president will make the first of these awards at the Toronto congress.
Under the IPA's new structure, three representatives, one from each region, will be elected as members of the IPA Executive Committee. The council approved the open process by which these members will be elected.
Piers Pendred is Director General of the International Psychoanalytical Association.