APA Press Release
October 3, 2007
Contact: Pam Willenz
(202) 336-5707

ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGISTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS: CELEBRATING PSYCHOLOGY DAY AND WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

WHO:

Norman Anderson, PhD, CEO, American Psychological Association
Opening Remarks; Florence Denmark, PhD, Pace University, Moderator

Speakers will include psychologists from the American Psychological Association and co-hosting organizations including the International Association for Applied Psychology, the International Council of Psychologists, the International Union of Psychological Science, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, the International Psychoanalytic Association, the Association for Women in Psychology, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the World Federation for Mental Health.

WHAT:

Speakers will address the role of psychology and psychologists at the United Nations. Presentations will highlight peace and conflict resolution, human rights and the world of work and the psychological response to disasters.

WHERE:

United Nations Headquarters
Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY

WHEN:

Weds., Oct. 10 (2 pm – 5 pm), and Thurs., Oct. 11 (10 am – 11:30 am)

BACKGROUND:

Psychology Day at the United Nations is the first time psychologists, U.N. ambassadors, staff, and other NGO representatives will come together to start a dialog on what psychology has to offer to the United Nations. The objective is to show how relevant psychology is as a discipline to addressing issues of global concern.

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, the first panel will describe its work at the United Nations to bring psychological issues/perspectives to the forefront. Speakers will talk about their organization, when it was first affiliated with the United Nations, and some of the activities of their members at the United Nations. Other panels will focus on “Peace and Conflict Resolution” and “Human Rights and the World of Work.”

On Thursday morning, Oct 11, a video on disaster relief will be shown, followed by an expert panel on “Psychological Responses to Disasters to kick off World Mental Health Day.” Dr. Gerard Jacobs, winner of the APA’s Humanitarian Award, will be the featured speaker.

The American Psychological Association (APA), in Washington, DC, is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world’s largest association of psychologists. APA’s membership includes more than 148,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.