Akron, Ohio News Release...

FAMILY THERAPY WORLD CONGRESS TO CONVENE IN AKRON

IFTA participants from more than 40 countries meet in the U.S.A. for the first time ever "Strengthening the ties between family, culture, and generations" is the theme for the International Family Therapy Association's XIth World Congress, which is to be held in the United States for the first time ever in April of 1999. This event, which is scheduled for April 13-17, 1999, will be hosted in Akron by the Akron Child Guidance Center.

The purpose of the 1999 IFTA World Family Therapy Congress is to bring together family therapists, social workers, scholars, students and medical professionals from all over the world. Charles M. Vehlow, Jr., M.S.W., Executive Director of the Akron Child Guidance Center and General Secretary and Financial Officer of IFTA, summarized the purpose of the 1999  congress when he said, "The 1999 IFTA world congress will be an ideal place to develop and promote the fundamental importance that families hold around the world."

Held in conjunction with the United Nations' "Year of the Older Person," the 1999 congress will feature speakers and roundtable discussions to focus on topics such as early child education, the threats of violence to the family and physical and emotional family wellness.

In 1994, the Akron Child Guidance Center hosted the HOPE Family Therapy Conference in Akron. The 1994 HOPE conference was significant because representatives from American, European and Asian family therapy associations were able to meet together for the first time ever. The success of this event was also marked by a scholarship donation campaign headed by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and an International Host Program.

Vehlow commented on the significance of the 1999 World Congress. "We are very excited about hosting such an extraordinary event right here in Akron. The Akron Child Guidance Center is so pleased that IFTA has chosen Akron as the site of their first U.S. congress," he said.

For the 1999 event, the Akron Child Guidance Center hopes to continue the success of 1994's scholarship and international host programs. The goal of the scholarship program is to raise enough money to provide need-based scholarships for attendees who might not otherwise be able to come to Akron. Scholarship criteria are currently in development, but a connection with family therapy or family studies will be the primary focus.

The International Host Program was set up to allow Akron families to welcome in their homes HOPE conference attendees from around the world. Many of the hosts from 1994 have volunteered to open their doors again to provide homestays and transportation to IFTA participants in 1999. "I think the exchange of cultures was very exciting for both hosts and participants. Plus, the host program is a great way for international guests to experience our wonderful city," commented Jackie Goodchild IFTA Congress Secretariat and Akron Child Guidance Center Assistant Public Relations Coordinator.

For more information on the 1999 IFTA World Family Therapy Congress, call Jackie Goodchild at the Akron Child Guidance Center at (330) 258-0953 or send e-mail to goodj@akroncg.org.