APA’s Council of Representatives has provided support for an expanded program of international information, outreach and exchange. International GOALS - Global Opportunities and Long Term Strategies - is an initiative developed by APA's Committee on International Relations in Psychology (CIRP) and Office of International Affairs (OIA). Its goals are to facilitate APA in addressing psychology in a global age by developing increased services for Members, global outreach, and policy activities. The activities below are planned for implementation in 2007-2008 to supplement ongoing OIA and CIRP activities (for a full list of the activities of the Office of International Affairs, see International Activities at www.apa.org/international/oia-acts.html.

GOALS activities can be organized in four international arenas: Services for Psychologists, Global Outreach. The United Nations, and APA as a World Citizen: 

Services for Psychologists: resources in international psychology

• Psychologists’ Map of the World: an online map with specific, pragmatic and up to date detailed country by country information on organizational and regulatory issues pertinent to psychologists’ activities (e.g., recognition of psychology as a profession, permission required to practice / do research / teach; structure of educational system; contacts for professional organizations). 

• Diplomacy for Psychology: information/training modules for psychologists engaged in international activities, including traveling abroad for long or short term visits, congresses, lectures, teaching, research, program development; information for US psychologists hosting international visitors.

• Exchange Database: interactive listing of opportunities and offers for international exchange including listings of US psychologists abroad for sabbaticals who are available as speakers; international research opportunities; international collaborations (“Craigs’ list for international psychology”).

• International Web Resources for Psychologists: enhanced web pages with information and links on international opportunities, funding, exchange

Global Outreach and Awareness

• Promoting Psychology Abroad : Fulbrighters as ambassadors: structured interviews with US psychologists who have been Fulbright Fellows in streaming video and podcast formats

• Travel grants: Expanded travel support for international meetings (especially fostering students / early career psychologists); expanded travel support for international affiliates to present at the APA convention (registration fees only).

APA and the UN

• Psychology Day at the UN: Annual event to spotlight UN activities and opportunities to psychologists and to spotlight the contributions of psychology to UN staff and diplomats

• Seminars at the UN : APA-sponsored symposia highlighting the contributions of psychological research and expertise to issues relevant to UN Millennium Development Goals

• Research Briefs on international themes: Research briefs/brochures outlining the applications of psychological research to pressing global issues.

APA as a world citizen

• Global Liaisons Group: liaison group of psychologists working in or with global institutions in the US (e.g., World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Pan-American Health Organization,) and internationally (e.g., World Health Organization, United Nations, International Council for Science). 

• Policy Initiatives: Task forces, work groups to advise APA on international policy issues in education, quality assurance, professional issues, mobility, capacity building in the international arena.