Dear Colleagues and friends, beste collega’s,
I can’t think of a greater pleasure than to welcome you all to the 2008 ISPA conference in the Netherlands, my home country!

The theme, School Psychology in a changing society, most likely immediately elicits associations. No matter where you are from, changes in today’s world are bound to affect your work as a school psychologist, as well as the context in which our children are learning and growing up. What can be done to ensure and protect children’s rights amidst all these changes? What can we, as psychologists, working in educational settings, contribute to their well being? The ISPA conference, as always, will provide an excellent opportunity to share your experiences with colleagues from all over the world during the many sessions, social activities, and breaks.

For the past two years, the Local Organizing Committee, chaired by Ellen Mackaay-Cramer, has been working very hard to put together a programme that you do not want to miss. It promises to be an inspiring conference, with excellent keynote speakers, invited symposia and pre-colloquium workshops. Of course, I trust that you too will all bring interesting knowledge, from both science and practice to share, making for a scientifically sound and practically inspiring programme. Please, consider a presentation, where you can inspire others with what you are doing and experiencing.

The conference will also offer us the opportunity to share expertise regarding furthering and promoting our profession. What role can we play amidst all the systemic changes? How can we become partners in discussions about mental health and education? The conference can be a platform for those of us who are involved in policy making and training, or who are involved at the level of their professional associations. Sharing our knowledge and expertise will benefit our own daily practice, the children, families and schools we are involved with, as well as the system as a whole.

The Local Organizing Committee also made sure that there are enough opportunities to get acquainted with Utrecht and to get a taste of Dutch culture. Please take this opportunity to get to know this wonderful country, maybe the place where your ancestors once came from before settling in your country!

Last year, during the leadership workshop, we asked participants what ISPA meant for them. Answers included Colloquia, inspiration, connectedness, crossing the borders, new experiences, extended family and hope.

I am sure you will be able to find all of that this summer in Utrecht. Please join us, as we are about to enjoy yet another wonderful ISPA experience!

See you in Utrecht,
Tot ziens in Utrecht!

Helen E.Bakker,
President ISPA

An Invitation to Utrecht

Dear Colleagues and friends
It is both our privilege and our pleasure to invite you to Utrecht for the 30th International School Psychology Conference.

The privilege of the ISPA conference, by its international character and the connection to daily practice is to offer a unique opportunity for the school psychologists to develop and to discuss their profession. Therefore we will offer you a very rich scientific programme. We are cordially inviting you to share some ideas and strategies to promote and improve the needs for psychological expertise and services in the educational area. With this knowledge we can contribute to the realization of the goals for children’s rights.

We are delighted to host the 30th ISPA conference and assure you that the programme will balance stimulating scientific content with opportunities to attend a number of cultural and social events. Also, there will be chances to enjoy the historical and lively atmosphere of the old cities of the Netherlands.

The conference will take place in Utrecht, founded 50 AD. The many churches, canals, and yards remind us of the Middle Ages. For many centuries, Utrecht has been a religious centre, the place where bishops lived and built their churches. The opening ceremony will be in the Dom Church in the heart of old Utrecht. The many outdoor places in downtown Utrecht and on the borders of the canals will offer wonderful opportunities to meet old friends and make new ones. On Thursday afternoon, trips will be organised to the other famous city-centres of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Our social committee has the wonderful job of organizing activities, which let you experience the good things of our beloved country.

The conference is co-hosted by the Dutch Association of Psychologists (NIP), in particular the Division Youth and the section of School psychologists. We are looking forward to meeting school/educational psychologists and other professionals from all the different countries and continents who work in schools sharing the challenges and values of the profession of school psychology.

It is our intention to make this year’s conference a memorable one for you and for any family or friends who may accompany you and share with you the warmth and wonderful atmosphere which ISPA creates with colleagues from all over the world.

Ellen Mackaay-Cramer,
on behalf of the Organizing Committee