Re: International Congress 2001

R. A. Neimeyer, U of Memphis ( neimeyerra@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU )
Tue, 20 Feb 1996 15:12:40 -0600

I also support the idea of a German PCP conference, and like the idea of
networking in this way to test the level of support for the concept. But
this whole process raises old and unsettled questions for me about the
level of (dis?)organization in the PCP community. Why is it so hard for us
to develop a system in which all voices can be heard on these matters, such
as in calling for conference venue proposals from various regions, and
giving a real vote on the matter to all members of the international
community? In this way and many others, it seems to me that some umbrella
organization that could coordinate the efforts of the several successful
regional organizations is called for.

Traditionally, the idea of "organization" of the theory group has been
opposed on ideological grounds ("organizations foster politicking, but PCP
is about ideas, etc.). And yet, we have developed more or less successful
groups with their own newsletters, meetings, dues, etc. in Europe, North
America, and the Australasian region. While this regional approach has
some clear drawbacks (e.g., my Latin American collegues interested in PCP
have no idea where to turn), it has largely succeeded in fostering greater
conceptual, methodological, and applied exchanges in the regions best
represented. Given the satisfactory experiment of organizing on this
level, what unique factors lead us away from creating something more
cohesive and organized internationally (i.e., that embraces all regions)?

I'm not going to carry this banner into future conferences, but I thought
that this electronic network might provide a forum for thinking through
this issues, in the wake of Joern's query about future meeting sites. What
problems and prospects do you envision in developing ways to link the
initiatives of existing regional groups, and maybe facilitate the inclusion
of those outside of the most "constructivized" regions?

Robert A. Neimeyer, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-4680
FAX (901) 678-2579
neimeyerra@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU

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