The Neuwaldegg Institute sponsored its first conference on psychology in recognition of the importance of this field to formerly communist nations. Almost all of the applicants, of whom about 50 were accepted from 13 countries, noted that the practice of psychology was only just now beginning to take life in their societies after being either suppressed or seriously distorted during the Soviet era. Moreover, the rapid changes and uncertainties of recent years has made practice of psychology suddenly urgent.

The conference was led by Dr. Paul C. Vitz, Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the New York University and Professor of Psychology/Senior Scholar at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Vitz proposed the analysis of several new trends in psychology including new approaches to positive psychology and personalism, as well as the role of forgiveness in psychotherapy and the importance of fatherhood.

The keynote address was given by Professor Jaroslav Sturma of Charles University (Prague). In addition, Professor Alexander Batthyany of the University of Vienna gave a guest lecture on the life and work of Viktor Frankl.

Students were particularly impressed by the recent studies on the role of forgiveness in building a healthy society. They reported that this notion has been denigrated by the ideology of communism as weakness and lack of self-respect. They welcomed the challenge of bringing the deep humanity implied by this notion back to Central and Eastern European society, supported by the latest developments in psychological research.

Go here to read some testimonials from participants