The 20th World IACAPAP Congress from July 21st to 25th 2012 in Paris promises to be a very unique experience for several reasons. The very first IACAPAP Congress held in 1937 was hosted in Paris with Georges Heuyer as Congress President. In IACAPAP’s history, Paris embodies a starting point for several decades of successful congresses around the world. A return to Paris in 2012 is a reminder of a little beginning which had been built up, nurtured and sustained by the vision, passion, sacrifice, unity and friendships among so many child and adolescent professionals who held the reins of this Association through the years. Paris is hosting the IACAPAP congress for the third time, the only city in the world to have enjoyed such attention and privilege in bringing together professionals from the multiple disciplines involved in the study of the mental health of children and caring for children with mental health problems. Furthermore, the Congress President at the second Congress hosted by Paris in 1986, Colette Chiland, is the Coordinator of the Steering Committee for Paris 2012. Colette brings into organizing this congress, strength, commitment and years of experience as a dedicated IACAPAP leader. She will work with David Cohen the President of the Organizing Committee, Claude Bursztejn, President of the Program Committee, and members of the French Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines in making the arrangements. Paris will enjoy the benefits of experience and this will be reflected in the congress.
