There is a saying in the United States that all politics is local. That may be true, but when it comes to psychological science, all science is international. Whether we are concerned about the psychological health of an individual, the cohesiveness of a community or the well-being of an entire nation, we want the best science to lead us.
One way we can learn about that science is through the APA Citizen Psychologist Initiative, which is open to all psychologists worldwide. The initiative honors psychologist leaders whose scientific knowledge and expertise enhance people's well-being locally, nationally or globally. These psychologists are engaged in a variety of far-reaching activities, including public service, volunteerism, serving on boards and committees, and many, many other roles.
Among the international psychologists we can learn from is Dr. Luís G.C. Villas-Boas R. Marques, a licensed clinical psychologist who directs Refugio Aboim Ascençãoopens in new window, a nonprofit organization that develops and implements programs for abused, abandoned and neglected children under age 6. Another is Dr. Maria Luisa Ramírez of the Colombian College of Psychologists, who has supported her colleagues in Central and South America as they move toward regulation in the field by helping them learn about and apply the International Competencies in Psychology to their countries and training programs. A third is Dr. Joanne Hands, whom I met at the Middle Eastern Psychological Association meeting in Dubai last spring. She has been a tireless proponent for mental health in the Middle East.
In my view, there's never been a more important time to reach out to our international colleagues. The highly complex challenges facing our world, including climate change, the massive refugee crisis, the marginalization of certain groups, poverty and violence, all call for more attention, even as people in many countries—including our own—are seeking to become more insular and isolationist. The Citizen Psychologist Initiative is one avenue for bringing us together.
Collaborating with our international colleagues is important in another critical way: It enables us to show how psychologists' unique skills and truly groundbreaking research can help address some of the globe's most intractable problems. That's why I welcome all psychologists, here in the United States and abroad, to join the Citizen Psychologist Initiative. Let us know about your work and help us improve the lives of individuals all over the world.
Visit the Citizen Psychologist Initiative for more information, including training modules aimed at helping others take on these roles.