Dear Colleagues in WASP, Associates and Friends,
I wish to extend to you my most heartfelt wishes for your health and prosperity in the New year and to use this opportunity to invite you to the 20th World Congress of the World Association for Social Psychiatry which, Under The High Patronage of His Majesty The King MOHAMMED VI, will take place in Marrakech, Morocco in October 23rd to 27th 2010. This will be the first time that our Congress will take place in Africa or in the Middle east hence this Congress will have an added significance for all of us.

Few countries in the world carry the weight of history as Morocco does. The existence of human habitation in what is now modern Morocco dates back to prehistory, but by 700 BC scripts already indicate the active business being conducted between its inhabitants and the Phoenicians, and by 400 BC its rulers were already recognized by the Greeks. More recently and following the conquest of the lands of the “Moors” by the Romans and much later by the Muslims, Morocco became an important bridge between civilizations. Its role in the cultural development and the socio-political structure of the Iberian Peninsula is well-known through the history of Andalucia ; the ties between Morocco and Spain remain strong to these days.

The Congress will be held in Marrakesh, at the foot of the majestic Atlas Mountains. The original capital of the country and seat of the earlier empires, Marrakesh also carries in its streets, buildings and monuments the patina of time mixed with the grace of its people and the “laissez-faire” of our times.

We invite all our affiliated national societies and colleagues interested in the plight and suffering of our patients and in the lack of integration of mental health services with the general health systems to be present and to present their scientific works.

Do come to learn history and the modern state of our healing art. Do come to discover what is happening in Psychiatry and in mental health systems worldwide. Do come to meet old friends and make new ones. And last but not least, do come to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of our hosts and of the people of Morocco.

I look forward to see you there !

Yours truly,

Professor Julio Arboleda-Florez
President, 20th World Congress of the World Association for Social Psychiatry (WASP)
President WASP