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Introduction IFP congress 2014 in Shanghai
Xudong Zhao, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine
of Shanghai East Hospital,
School of Medicine at Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai,
China, e-mail: zhaoxd@tongji.edu.cn
The board of the International Federation of Psychotherapy
(IFP) has decided that the 21th IFP World Congress of Psychotherapy
will be held from May 9 -11, 2014,
in Shanghai, China. The theme of this congress will
be ‘Psychotherapy Contributing to Global Health’.
All IFP members are cordially welcome to attend this
every-4-year gathering.
IFP has started the organizational work. The Psychotherapy
and Counseling Section of The Chinese Association of Mental
Health, one of the member organizations of IFP, is authorized
by the IFP as the local organizer. The Shanghai East Hospital
Affiliated to Tongji University and the Shanghai Municipal
Mental Health Center Affiliated to Jiaotong University will
co-sponsor the congress, and the Asia-Pacific Association
of Psychotherapists (APAP) is co-organizer of this conference.
The Chinese colleagues appreciate IFP’s decision very
much. Shanghai is suitable for this great event, because China
has been experiencing historical socio-cultural changes for
decades, and Shanghai is China’s ‘economic capital’
with its open, energetic and innovative features. Psychotherapy
has found its new role in the radical process of modernization
and globalization in China. After the issuance of the Mental
Health Law of the People’s Republic of China, psychotherapy
is now defined officially as an important human service. Therefore,
we are embracing all forms of psychotherapy from other parts
of the world that are helpful to the psychological well-being
of the people, while they are developing new models based
on Chinese culture. We believe that the IFP Congress will
offer a valuable opportunity for professionals from all countries
to exchange ideas and enhance their expertise.
The congress will be held in spring, which is the best season
for meeting and for tourism in Shanghai. The congress venue
will be located in the Everbright International Convention
Centre.
Having hosted the ‘2010 World Expo’ successfully,
Shanghai has very modern infrastructure besides its attractive
cultural atmosphere and life style. Participants and accompanying
persons will have numerous touristic options during their
stay in Shanghai and in other areas of China.
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