Division 52- International Psychology

The central theme of my 1999 Presidential Address of Division 17 was inclusion. Inclusion is Power and at no time is it more important than now for APA to be inclusive of our international colleagues. There are so many international conflicts around the world, reflective in part of multicultural and cross-cultural incompetence. APA is not involved enough, but should be. We are beginning to make some forays into international psychology as can be seen from the significant inroads into international psychology, which Division 52 has spearheaded over the years. In addition, there are other like-minded groups with similar goals, as witnessed by some examples in Divisions like the Society for Counseling Psychology. The Society recently formed an international section; over 70 signatures were obtained from our members indicating their desire to be a member of this section in less than 24 hours. The leaders of this Section want to promote collaborative projects with Division 52 as you share very similar goals; we must promote such connections in APA to enhance the effectiveness of much needed psychological interventions around the globe. Likewise, in higher education there is now a call for one million students to study abroad each year and at my university we are seeking to raise monies to participate in that plan. These are just two examples of how groups in which I am involved recognize the need for greater international collaboration and participation.

When we look at conflicts around the world, we begin to see why such collaboration and participation is crucial. It is reasonable to assume that if we have the benefit of international psychology in science and practice that we could have a strong message about how to resolve wars like those in Iraq and slaughters like those that occurred in Rwanda . When APA is more involved in the formation of international psychology we have a stronger advocacy voice for women and children who are oppressed and abused throughout the world.

The international voice is too small in APA. In 2004 the APA Council of Representatives passed the Resolution on Gender and Cultural Awareness in International Psychology (apa.org/international/cirpresolution.html.) It is time for more of APA to put the resolution into practice. The President of APA must highlight that need and make this issue visible throughout the profession. We must weave the international focus throughout the activities within the Association. We recently established a new Committee on Socio-Economic Status. That committee should include a focus on the science, education, practice and advocacy of class from an international perspective. We have asked boards and committees to think about diversity in all of their work. We must include international in diversity. The President must be an advocate of this position for it is from the bully pulpit that the President can have the most influence. If the President will lift up the formation of international psychology then the voice of international psychology will grow louder and international psychology will be firmly entrenched in APA's powerful circle of inclusion.