GOALS: Global Opportunities and Long-term Strategies

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.

GOALS activities can be organized in four international arenas:

1. Services for Psychologists,

2. Global Outreach,

3. The United Nations, and

4. APA as a World Citizen.

• 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

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.