This month, the Global Psychology Alliance (GPA) gathered in Tirana, Albania, for our 4th global summit, and it was our largest yet. Psychologists from six continents came together with a shared purpose: to put our science and our practice to work on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. I’m still processing everything we shared, and I wanted to capture some of it while it’s fresh.
Eighteen months of progress
We opened by hearing from our four working groups, each of which has achieved a great deal since we last met:
AI and the digitisation of society
Climate
Mental health
Marginalised and vulnerable communities
It was energising to hear how much has been done, and how much of it has come from people collaborating across time zones, languages, and contexts. These groups are the engine of the GPA and their commitment shows. From attending at COP and UN meetings, to white papers, local initiatives, and shaping university content, these groups are unstoppable!
Planning the next 18 months, and how we’ll work together
Celebrating success was only half the job. We also facilitated the groups to look ahead, and to build a roadmap for the coming 18 months. As well as working on the what, we designed and delivered sessions to facilitate the how of their work together. Each group considered how it can collaborate well internally, and, just as importantly, how the groups can connect with one another. AI and digitisation, climate, mental health, and the experiences of marginalised and vulnerable communities are deeply intertwined, and our work will be stronger for recognising that. I’m excited to see what emerges at those intersections, alongside the fresh ideas for collaboration that were conceived of.
Building our voice as advocates
Alongside the working group sessions, we ran workshops on advocacy. Psychology has so much to offer to policy and public conversation, and these sessions explored how we can make our expertise heard where decisions are made.
Voices from Albania
Our Summit was generously opened by a live-streamed bonanza of Albania music and dance, including key notes from Government Ministers at the opening ceremony and our opening day. Their endorsements and commitment grounded our work in the realities of policy and public service.
We were equally inspired by a keynote from a wonderful local psychologist, who took us through the psychology and heritage of Albania. It was a rich and moving journey through a country with a remarkable history, and it gave us a deeper appreciation of the place that welcomed us.
Leaning in
Tirana is a city with a lot going on, and we met at a moment of unrest in the city. Rather than distracting us, that context encouraged us to dig deeper and to lean into the possibilities and opportunities of our global family. Being together in a real place, in real time, with real challenges around us, reminded us why this work matters.
Thank you
This summit would not have been possible without the generous funding and support of the American Psychological Association (APA). Thank you for believing in this work and in this community.
Thanks, too, to everyone who travelled to Tirana, shared their expertise, and brought such generosity of spirit. And thanks to our hosts in Albania for their warmth, support and openness.
Looking ahead
It was a privilege to co-create and co-facilitate my second summit with such a committed group of people. I leave Tirana feeling very grateful and very hopeful. The roadmaps are drawn, the connections are stronger, and the next 18 months are full of promise.
If you’d like to get involved with the Alliance or one of our working groups, we’d love to hear from you. Email me at leisha@leisharedmondmcgrath.com