APA?s international division brainstorms in San Francisco

Div. 52 (International) celebrated its one-year anniversary at APA?s 1998 Annual Convention in San Francisco. President-elect Florence Denmark, PhD, presented Div. 52 president Ernst Beier, PhD, with a plaque for distinction in the world of international psychology. In his presidential address, Beier thanked everyone who submitted research and posters for the convention.

Beier suggested several steps psychologists could take to build an effective international community:

? Help psychologists traveling abroad to make contact with other psychologists in the countries they visit. Beier hopes this will also increase the opportunity for psychologists to lecture abroad.

? Assist U.S. psychologists with job placement in foreign countries and perform the same service for foreign psychologists who want to work in the United States.

? Encourage the use of Internet chat rooms on the Div. 52 web site to link psychologists with similar research interests.

? Cultivate an interest in intercultural research by discussing such global issues as crime, domestic violence and child rearing in the Div. 52 newsletter, International Psychology Reporter.

? Collaborate on research and mental health issues with other divisions that have international ties.

? Allow students to post papers on the Div. 52 web site.

Two responses from the audience drew support:

? Provide a network of mentors who can help create internships in the United States and abroad.

? Create a database of international grants and scholarships for students willing to travel to other countries.

Psychologists interested in learning more about Div. 52 can visit http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/orgs/div52/.

?Mel Waters