INVITATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ICSD

For many years ICSD has held biennial symposia in different countries.  These conferences bring together educators, practitioners, students and other persons who share a commitment to a common purpose--the promotion of social development.  During these symposia, papers are presented that deal with a variety of topics related to social development.  Special speakers are selected to make presentations on subjects with which they have special expertise.  Delegates from throughout the world learn not only from these formal components of the program, but also from the interaction with each other during the conference.  There is always a large representation from the geographic area in which the symposium is held, and the participation of these delegates gives the attendees from other countries a special opportunity to learn about social development issues that are unique to the host country and region.  

ICSD symposia are different from most other international meetings in the area of human services in several ways:  the focus of the program on social development; the variety of participants representing numerous disciplines that share this focus; and the relatively small size of the conferences.  Whereas many other international meetings have several thousand attendees, ICSD symposia usually have no more than 750 participants.  Hence, the delegates at these symposia have a unique opportunity to share experiences and to learn together in a more intimate manner than at most other international conferences.  Numerous relationships are formed that are sustained over time, and many of the participants look forward to seeing each other again at subsequent symposia. 

Since I attended my first ICSD meeting in Portugal in 1996,  I have been a “true believer” in the organization.   I have continually looked forward to attending ICSD’s biennial meetings (and regional meetings) for all the reasons cited above.  I have met numerous colleagues from around the world who obviously share my feelings about the organization and its work.  It will be a joy to see many of them at the 2009 symposium in Mexico.  I would like to invite you to attend this symposium and become a part of this group of folks who are committed to the cause of promoting social development. 

I am confident that he 2009 ICSD Symposium will be an outstanding event.  The symposium Co-chairs,  Kristin Ferguson, from the University of Southern California, and Hector Cuadra and Sandra Mancinas, from the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, have devoted a great deal of time and effort to making the conference a success.  Working with a worldwide Symposium Organizing Committee and a Local Planning Committee, they have developed a theme for the program that is relevant for countries throughout the world.  The have also created a program design and Call for Abstracts that build upon this theme and will provide a variety of meaningful learning opportunities.  I had the opportunity to visit the symposium venue, and I can assure you that you will enjoy visiting in Monterrey  and experiencing the warm hospitality of the conference hosts at the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon.   

One of the special features of our symposia is the opportunity to visit throughout the host country, either before or after the conference.  In 2009 tours of Mexico will be offered to our delegates and their families.  These tours will combine visits to cultural and historic sites with visits to various social programs in order to give the participants an opportunity to learn more about human services in Mexico.  Those who attend the Symposium can earn CEUs for their conference participation, and those who take part in the tours can earn additional CEUs for the learning acquired through these experiences. 

Again, let me extend a special invitation to you to join us in Mexico in 2009 for the International Symposium and for a tour through that beautiful, exciting country.  I promise that you will have a wonderful experience. 

Frank Raymond

President of ICSD

More information on the Mexico Symposium will be found at:  ICSD Symposium