The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists The structure of the
Transcription
The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists The structure of the
The Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists CANADIAN PSYCHOLOGY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES n n Janel Gauthier, Ph.D. Chair of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee for a Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologis ts General Assembly of the College of Psychologists of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan March 24, 2007 The Saskatchewan College of Psychologists has adopted the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists. One of the main features of this Code is the organization of all ethical standards around clearly identified ethical principles and values. 1 2 The structure of the Canadian Code of Ethics Principle 1 Respect for the dignity of persons n n n n n n n n n Values Respect for general rights Non -discrimination Informed consent Free consent Fair treatment/ Due process Vulnerabilities Privacy Confidentiality Extended r e s p. Principle 2 Responsible caring n n n n n n n n Values General caring Competence/self knowledge Risk/B enefit analysis Maximize benefits Minimize harm Offset/Correct harm Care of animals Extended r e s p. Principle 3 Integrity in Relationships n n n n n n n Values Accuracy/ Honesty Objectivity/Lack of bias Straightforwardness /Openness Avoidance of incomplete disclosure Avoidance of conflict of interest Reliance on the Discipline Extended r e s p. Something to be proud of as Canadians Principle 4 Responsibility to society n Values n n n n n Development of knowledge Beneficial activities Respect for society Development of society Extended r e s p. The idea of articulating ethical principles as a moral framework or foundation for more specific standards of behaviour is increasingly adopted by other countries and other disciplines. 3 4 The Canadian Code – A major Canadian contribution Today’s clientele and the Canadian Code of Ethics q A model for reviewing or developing codes for national and international psychology organizations: o o o o European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) New Zealand Ireland Mexico n q A model for developing codes in other disciplines: o The Canadian Coaching Association o The Canadian Association for Music Therapy o The Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals n q A model for the development of a universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists. 5 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 As our clientele at home becomes more multicultural, we must think more clearly how to ensure that our professional services are provided with respect and beneficence. Questions Does the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists provide adequate guidance to psychologists in behaving respectfully and appropriately when engaged in professional activities with multicultural clientele? How universal are the principles and values underlying the Canadian Code? 6 1 Goal Outline q To show that there is a meeting ground in terms of respect, caring, integrity, and the collective well-being of society. This will be done by: Ø Overview of structure and content of the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists Ø Why a universal declaration Ø Comparative analyses and integration Ø Consultation and responses of sponsors Ø Meaning of the Declaration for Canadians Ø Questions – comments – discussion qExploring the commonalties in professional values across countries, continents, and over time; and qExploring the universality of the ethical principles most commonly used in psychology to develop codes of ethics. 7 8 Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles for Psychologists THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS 9 10 Structure of the Draft Universal Declaration n n The framework of the Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles Principle 1 Respect for the dignity of all human beings It has a preamble followed by 4 sections, each relating to a different ethical principle. Each section includes: n A statement outlining the fundamental moral values contained in the principle n n n n Articles that relate directly to these moral values. n n n n 11 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 Values Respect for the dignity/worthiness of persons/peoples Non -discrimination Informed consent Free consent Fair treatment/ Due process Privacy Confidentiality Principle 2 Competent caring for the well- being of others n n n n n n Values Caring (health and well- being) Maximize benefits Minimize harm Offset/Correct harm Competence (responsible caring) Self -knowledge (responsible caring) Principle 3 Integrity n n n n n Values Accuracy/ Honesty Objectivity (understanding/ managing biases) Straightforwardness /openness Avoidance of incomplete disclosure Avoidance of conflict of interest Principle 4 Professional and scientific responsib. to society n n n Values Development of knowledge Respect for society Duties to society 12 2 PRINCIPLE I – Respect for the Dignity of All Human Beings PREAMBLE n n n n Context of the Universal Declaration (what it speaks to) Objectives of the Universal Declaration Description of the Universal Declaration Contribution of the Declaration and its meaning Article 1 Psychologists recognize and respect the unique worth and inheren t dignity of all human beings. Article 2 Psychologists recognize and respect the diversity among human beings. Article 3 Psychologists respect the customs and beliefs of cultures, limit ed only when a custom or a belief seriously contravenes the principle of respect for the dignity of human beings or causes serious harm to their well -being. Article 4 Psychologists uphold the value of free and informed consent. Article 5 Psychologists uphold the value of privacy of individuals, famili es, groups, and communities. Article 6 Psychologists uphold the value of confidentiality of personal information. Article 7 Psychologists uphold the value of fairness and justice in the treatment of others. 13 PRINCIPLE II – Competent Caring for the Well-Being of Others Article 8 Psychologists demonstrate an active concern for the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities. Article 9 Psychologists uphold the value of taking care to do no harm to individuals, families, groups, and communities. Article 10 Psychologists uphold the value of maximizing benefits and minimizing potential harms to individuals, families, groups, and communities. Article 11 Psychologists uphold the value of taking responsibility for correcting or offsetting harmful effects that have occurred as a result of their activities. Article 12 Psychologists uphold the value of developing and maintaining competence. Article 13 Psychologists uphold the value of self-knowledge regarding how their own values, attitudes, experiences, and social context influence their actions, interpretations, choices, and recommendations. Article 14 Psychologists recognize and respect the ability of individuals, families, groups, and communities to make decisions for themselves and to care for themselves and each other. 15 PRINCIPLE IV – Professional and Scientific Responsibilities to Society Article 20 Psychologists uphold the discipline’s responsibility to increase scientific and professional knowledge in ways that promote the well -being of society and all its members, and that are consistent with the other ethical requirements of this Declaration. Article 21 Psychologists uphold the discipline’s responsibility to ensure t hat psychological knowledge is used for beneficial purposes, and to protect such k nowledge from being misused, used incompetently, or made useless by others. Article 22 Psychologists uphold the discipline’s responsibility to conduct its affairs in ways that promote the well- being of society and all its members, and that are consistent with the other ethical requirements of this Declaration. Article 23 Psychologists uphold the discipline’s responsibility to promote and maintain the highest standards of the discipline. Article 24 Psychologists uphold the discipline’s responsibility to ensure t hat members are adequately trained in their ethical responsibilities and require d competencies. Article 25 Psychologists uphold the discipline’s responsibility to develop its ethical awareness and 17 sensitivity, and to be as self-correcting as possible. © Janel Gauthier, 2007 14 PRINCIPLE III – Integrity Article 15 Psychologists uphold the value of truthfulness, and honest, accurate and open communications. Article 16 Psychologists avoid incomplete disclosure of information unless complete disclosure is culturally inappropriate, or violates the confidentiality of others, or carries the potential to do serious harm to individuals, families, groups, or communities. Article 17 Psychologists uphold the value of maximizing impartiality and mi nimizing biases. Article 18 Psychologists uphold the value of not exploiting others for pers onal, professional, or financial gain. Article 19 Psychologists avoid conflicts of interest and declare them when such situations cannot be avoided or are inappropriate to avoid. 16 Why a Universal Declaration n n There are tremendous variations in the form, content, usefulness and rate of development of codes of ethics in the world. The development and the proclamation of a Universal Declaration would provide a generic set of moral principles to be used as a template by psychology organizations worldwide to develop or revise their ethical codes and standards. 18 3 A Universal Declaration would also provide… n n n NOT to be confounded with... A universal standard against which the psychology community worldwide can assess progress in the ethical and moral relevancy of its codes of ethics; A shared moral framework for representatives of the psychology community to speak with a collective voice on matters of ethical concern; A common basis for psychology as a discipline to evaluate alleged unethical behavior by its members. n A worldwide code of ethics or a code of conduct that would be agreed upon and adhered to in all countries. 19 20 REMINDER n n n How it began… Codes of conduct define the bottom lines of professional conduct (i.e., what you must or must not do) Codes of ethics tend to be more aspirational, articulating standards according to underlying principles and values. Declaration of ethical principles reflects the principles and values that would be expected of a code of ethics or a code of conduct. n n Submission for a symposium at the IAAP Congress in Singapore (2002) Presentation of the paper at the IAAP Congress n n The need to support, facilitate and promote the development of ethics in the world was discussed at the biennial World Forum of Psychology during the ICAP in 2002. Both IUPsyS and IAAP recognized at the meeting that something had to be done. 21 Current members In 2002… n n The International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) approved a motion to create a working group to develop a universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists. The initiative was to involve the IUPsyS and the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) and, hopefully, the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP). 23 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 22 n n n n n n n n n Janel Gauthier (Canada), Chair Rubén Ardila (Colombia) Nasrin Jazani (Iran) Catherine Love (New Zealand) Elizabeth Nair (Singapore) Kwadzi Nyanungo (Zimbabwe) Paul B. Pederson (United States) Tuomo Tikkanen (Finland) Kan Zhang (China) 24 4 Personal senior advisors Sponsoring organizations n n n Dr. Jean Pettifor (Calgary, Canada) Dr. Carole Sinclair (Toronto, Canada) n n International Union of Psychological Science International Association of Applied Psychology International Association for CrossCultural Psychology 25 26 A challenging goal Developing a framework How to develop a framework for a Universal Declaration of Ethical Principles that could work for everyone? n n n n Comparison between codes of ethics in psychology to identify commonalties in the ethical principles used to develop them. Comparison across domains and throughout history to assess the universality of the ethical principles used to develop codes of ethics in psychology. Integration of principles and values having the greatest commonalty and universality into a framework. Consultation by presenting the framework at international meetings to gather comments and suggestions (e.g., symposia, focus -group discussions). 27 28 Comparative analysis of codes of ethics - Sample Assessing commonalties n Review of some of the codes of ethics that identify the ethical principles used to develop them: n n n n n n n n n n n n American Psychological Association (APA) Australian Psychological Society Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Colegio de Psicólogos de Chile European Federation of Psychologists Association Federación de Psicólogos de la República Argentina Finnish Psychological Association New Zealand Psychological Society Psychological Society of Ireland Sociedad Colombiana de Psicología Sociedad Mexicana de Psicología South African Professional Board of Psychology 29 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 Ethical Principle APA’s (2002) CPA’s (2001) EFPA’s (1995) Respect for the dignity and rights of persons Principle E Principle I Principle 1 Responsible caring (incl. in Princ . A) Principle II (incl. in Princ . 3) Integrity in relationships Principle C Principles III Principle 4 Responsibility to society (incl. in Princ . B) Principle IV Principle 3 Beneficence and nonmaleficence Principle A (incl. in Princ . II) (incl. in Princ . 3) Fidelity & responsibility Principle B (incl. in Princ . I V ) Principle 3 Justice Principle D (incl. in Princ . I) (incl. in Princ . 1?) Competence (incl. in Princ . D ) (incl. in Princ . II) Principle 2 30 5 Comparative analysis of codes of ethics - Sample Distilling a generic set of ethical principles Ethical Principle Argentina (‘99) Chile (‘03) Mexico (‘02) Columbia (‘01) Respect for the dignity and rights of persons Principle A Articulo 1 Principle A Capitulo 7 Responsible caring nil nil Principle B Capitulo 9 Integrity in relationships Principle D Articulo 4 Principle C Capitulo 4 Responsibility to society Principle E Articulo 6 Principle D Capitulo 6 Ø Beneficence and nonmaleficence nil nil (incl. in Princ . B) (incl. in Cap. 9) Ø Fidelity & responsibility Principle C Articulo 3 (incl. in Princ . D ) Capitulo 5 Justice (incl. in Princ . A) (incl. in Art. 1) (incl. in Princ . A) Competence Principle B Articulo 2 (incl. in Princ . B) Ø Ø Ø (incl. in Cap. 7) Respect for the dignity and rights of persons/peoples Caring for others and concerns for their welfare Competence Integrity Responsibility to society (professional, scientific) Capitulo 3 31 32 Comparing codes of ethics and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Assessing universality n n n Review of internationally accepted documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to delineate the moral imperatives that underlie them. Review of codes of ethics in other disciplines to identify the ethical principles used to develop them (e.g., sports, martial arts). Review historical documents to identify roots of “modern” ethical principles. The Universal Declaration recognizes... n Right to be treated as a person n Right to be appreciated primarily as a person Codes of Ethics recognize... n n n Right to non -discrimination n n Right to justice n n Right to freedom n n Right to education, health and well being n As fundamental the principle of respect for the dignity of person That all persons have a right to have their innate worth as human beings appreciated. As fundamental the right not to be discriminated because of culture, nationality, ethnicity, colour, race, etc. That all persons have a right to fair treatment and due process As fundamental the right to selfdetermination and autonomy As fundamental the principle of caring for others and being concerned for their welfare 33 Comparing codes of ethics and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (cont’d) n Right to protection, security and social order n n Right to privacy n n Right to free and full consent n n Duties to the community n n Respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms Sports and Martial Arts Codes of Ethics recognize... The Universal Declaration recognizes... n n As fundamental the right to informed consent and the principle of responsible and competent caring n As fundamental the right to privacy and confidentiality n As fundamental the right to free and full consent As fundamental the principle of professional and scientific responsibility to society n As fundamental the principle of respects for human rights n 35 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 34 The Code of Ethics of the Canadian Professional Coaches Association United States Olympic Committee Coaching Ethics Code The Code of Ethics of the National Coaching Association (UK) The Code of Ethics of the United States Martial Arts Federation The Code of Bushido 36 6 Comparative analysis of codes of ethics across domains Psychology Coaching n Integrity n Responsible coaching n Responsibility to society Integrity n n n Competence n Competence n n Concerns for others’ welfare n Social responsibility n n n n Caring for others concerns for their n welfare Principle 1 Respect for the dignity and rights of persons/peoples Martial Arts/Bushido Respect for the dignity of participants Respect for the dignity and rights of persons n Emerging framework n n Humility Justice n Courage Benevolence Self -control Respect/sensitivity toward others Truthfulness Honour Loyalty n Devotion to others n n Respect for the dignity/worthiness of persons/peoples n Non -discrimination n Informed consent n Free consent n n n Principle 2 Caring for others and concerns for their welfare n n n Fair treatment/ Due process n Caring (health and wellbeing) Maximize benefits Minimize harm Offset/Correct harm Principle 3 Competence n n Competence (responsible caring) Self knowledge (responsible caring) n n n n n n n Values Respect for the dignity/worthiness of persons/peoples Non -discrimination Informed consent Free consent Fair treatment/ Due process Privacy Confidentiality n n n n n n Values Caring (health and well- being) Maximize benefits Minimize harm Offset/Correct harm Competence (responsible caring) Self -knowledge (responsible caring) Principle 3 Integrity n n n n n Values Accuracy/ Honesty Objectivity (understanding/ managing biases) Straightforwardness /openness Avoidance of incomplete disclosure Avoidance of conflict of interest n n n Accuracy/ n Honesty Objectivity n (understand/ managing of biases n Straightforwa rdness/open ness Avoidance of incomplete disclosure Avoidance of conflict of interest Principle 4 Professional and scientific responsib. to society Values Development of knowledge Respect for society Duties to society n n n Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Doc/Code Principle 2 Competent caring Principle 3 Integrity Code of Hammurabi nDifferent fees nPunishment if (Babylon, circa depending on social someone is harmed 1795 – 1750 BC) status (worth).* or dies Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Hippocratic Oath (Greece, circa 400 BC) Hebrew Oath of Asapah the Physician (Unknown, circa 200 – 600 AD) Rules apply to all patients, whether free man or slave n“Do not divulge…in the belief that all such things should be kept secret.” n “Do not divulge the secret of a man who has trusted you.” n Principle 2 Competent caring Try to be of benefit, but at least do no harm nStay within limits of competence Principle 3 Integrity “Conceal most things from the patient” (to avoid patient becoming worse).* nNo sexual involvement, whether with free man or slave n“Do not attempt to n“Do not say of kill by means of a good – it is bad; potion of herbs.” nor of bad – it is good.” n n Principle 4 Responsibility to society “Stand free from any voluntary criminal action.” n 41 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 Development of knowledge Respect for society Duties to society Ayurvedic n“No person hated Instruction (India, by the king” to be circa 300 – 500 BC) treated.* nPermission to enter house needed nHousehold events to be kept confidential Principle 4 Responsibility to society Judgments and punishment re physicians is responsibility of courts n “Devote self to n“Speak only the doing good for the truth.” patient.” n“Do not desert or injure your patient.” n“Act with a view to the acquisition of knowledge.” n 39 Doc/Code Principle 5 Professional and scientific respons . to society Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Revised framework Principle 2 Competent caring for the well- being of others n n Privacy Confidentiality 37 Principle 1 Respect for the dignity of all human beings Principle 4 Integrity “Seek the good of all living creatures.” n 40 Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Doc/Code Ayurvedic Oath of Initiation (India, circa 400 AD) Principle 2 Competent caring Principle 3 Integrity Principle 4 Responsibility to society “Treat…all Brahimins , orphans, people who come from a distance…as if they are your own friends.” n“Enter family dwelling only after giving notice and with their permission.” n“Never give out to others the practices of the patient’s home.” n 42 7 Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Doc/Code Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Haly Abbas’ Advice to a Physician (Persia, circa 950 AD) Principle 2 Competent caring n“A physician should never use or prescribe a harmful drug.” n“A physician must study medical books constantly and never grow tired of research.” Daily Jewish Prayer n“In the sufferer, of a Physician let me see only the (Egypt, circa 1150 human being.” AD) Principle 3 Integrity Principle 4 Responsibility to society “A physician is to treat his patients out of good and spiritual motives, not for the sake of gain.” Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Doc/Code n Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Seventeen Rules of n“You should Enjuin (Japan, circa rescue even such 1500 AD) patients as you dislike or hate.” Principle 2 Competent caring “You should be delighted if the patient receives medicine from another physician and is cured.” n Principle 3 Integrity Principle 4 Responsibility to society “You should not exhibit avarice and you must not strain to become famous.” n “Do not allow thirst for profit, ambition for reknown and admiration, interfere with my profession.” n 43 44 Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Five n“Physicians should Commandments respond to any calls of and Ten patients, high or low, Requirements rich or poor. He should (China, 1616 treat them all equally.” AD) n“Prostitutes should be treated just like patients from a good family.” n“Mocking should not be indulged, for this brings loss of dignity.” n“The secret diseases of female patients should not be revealed to anybody.” Doc/Code Principle 2 Competent caring n“Remedies should be prepared according to the pharmaceutical formulae, but may be altered to suit the patient’s condition.” n“A physician or surgeon must study all the ancient books ceaselessly so that he will not make any mistakes.” Principle 3 Integrity “Practice medicine with honesty.” n“Practice medicine with integrity. Do not replace precious herbal materials provided by the family with inferior ones.” n“If the case improves, drugs may be sent, but physicians should not visit them again for lewd reward.” n Principle 4 Responsibility to society n“Medicine should be given free to the poor. Extra financial help should be extended to destitute patients if possible.” Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Principle 1 Respect for the dignity A Physician’s n“A physician must Ethical Duties not regard others (Persia, 1770 AD) with contempt.” n“A physician must protect the patient’s secrets and not betray them.” Doc/Code American Medical n“None of the Association Code privacies of personal of Ethics (1847 and domestic life AD) (First) should ever be divulged except when imperatively required to do so.” Principle 2 Competent caring “A physician should never recommend any kind of fatal, harmful, or enfeebling drug.” n Principle 3 Integrity “A physician must not hold his students or his patients under his obligation.” n “Consultations n“Should not fail to should be promoted give to the friends in difficult or of the patient timely protracted cases.” notice of danger, and even to the patient himself if absolutely necessary.” n 45 Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Nuremberg Code n“The voluntary of Ethics in consent of the Medical Research human subject is (1948) absolutely essential.” (detailed definition of informed voluntary consent) Principle 2 Competent caring Doc/Code “Experiment should be conducted so as to avoid all unnecessary physical and mental suffering and injury.” n“Proper preparations should be made to protect the subject against even remote possibilities of injury, disability or death.” n“Be prepared to terminate the experiment at any stage if likely to result in injury of death.” n Principle 3 Integrity Principle 4 Responsibility to society n“The experiment should be such as to yield fruitful results for the good of society.” © Janel Gauthier, 2007 “The public ought no longer to allow statute books to exhibit the anomaly of exacting knowledge from physicians under liability to heavy penalties.”* 46 n Tracing the historical roots of ethical principles in framework Doc/Code Principle 1 Respect for the dignity Nuremberg Code of Ethics in Medical Research (1948) (continued) 47 Principle 4 Responsibility to society Source: Sinclair (2005) Principle 2 Competent caring “Should be conducted only by scientifically qualified persons. The highest degree of skill and care should be required.” n“Adequate risk/benefit analysis must be done.” n Principle 3 Integrity Principle 4 Responsibility to society n“The duty and responsibility for ascertaining the quality of the consent rests upon each individual who initiates, directs, or engages in the experiment. It is a personal duty and responsibility which may not be delegated to another with impunity.” 48 8 Conclusion References Even where there are differences in the emphasis on individualism and collectivism, science and traditional healing, secular and religious authority, and on authoritarian and democratic governance, there is a meeting ground in terms of respect, caring, integrity, and the collective well-being of society. Gauthier, J. (2003). Toward a universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists. In J.B. Overmier & J.A. Overmier (Eds.). Psychology: IUPsyS Global Resource, Hove, UK: Psychology Press. Gauthier, J. (2005). Toward a universal declaration of ethical principles for psychologists: A progress report. In M.J. Stevens & D. Wedding (Eds.). Psychology: IUPsyS Global Resource, Hove, UK: Psychology Press. Gauthier, J. (2007). Universal Declaration of ethical principles for psychologists. In J. Hall & E. Altmaier (Eds.), International Perspectives on Accountability in Professional Psychology. London: Oxford University Press. Sinclair, C. (2005). The Eastern roots of ethical principles and values. In M..J. Stevens & D. Wedding (Eds.). Psychology: IUPsyS Global Resource, Hove, UK: Psychology Press. 49 Consultations n n n n n n n n n 50 Focus-group discussions International Congress of Applied Psychology (Singapore, 2002) European Congress of Psychology (Vienna, 2003) International Congress on Licensure, Certification and Credentialing of Psychologists (Montreal, 2004) International Congress of Psychology (Beijing, 2004) Interamerican Congress of Psychology (Buenos Aires, 2005) European Congress of Psychology (Granada, 2005) International Congress of Applied Psychology (Athens, 2006) Middle East and North Africa Regional Conference of Psychology (Amman, 2007) European Congress of Psychology (Prague, 2007) n n n n n Developing a universal declaration is feasible, but difficult. It will require broad consultations. The moral principles will have to be articulated in such a way that they can be operationalized differently around different cultures and needs, but still honored. Respect must include both individuals and peoples, and must not be used to oppress peoples. Competence and serving the needs of people must be relative to culture. 51 Responses of sponsoring organizations It is understood that… n To be of worldwide value, a Universal Declaration will have to be: n Relevant to local communities and indigenous values. n Sensitive to natural and cultural differences. n n n 53 © Janel Gauthier, 2007 52 International Union of Psychological Science – General Assembly International Association of Applied Psychology – Board of Directors International Association for CrossCultural Psychology – Executive Council 54 9 Final comments Activities planned for 2006-2008 n n n To refine the draft of the Universal Declaration in the light of the many consultations since its release. To seek feedback to determine the cultural appropriateness of the definitions, concepts and language used in any newly revised document. To submit the final draft to IUPsys, IAAP, and IACCP for approval at the International Congress of Psychology in Berlin in 2008. n The task will continue to be a challenge. However, as a discipline, we can succeed: n n n n Much has been accomplished since 2002. The project enjoys strong and enthusiastic support from all parts of the world. Audiences have been cooperative and have provided useful feedback. The members of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee are experienced and eager to contribute. 55 56 57 58 Contact Prof. Janel Gauthier, Ph.D. School of Psychology Laval University Québec, QC G1K 7P4 janel.gauthier@psy.ulaval.ca Questions or comments? © Janel Gauthier, 2007 59 10