2. Programme structure

On Friday, 19th April 2024, international psychoanalytic observation groups will take place at various Viennese locations from 1.45 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. 

Two participants will present written observation reports in each group. After the presentation all group participants are invited to discuss these reports in order to get a deeper understanding of the content of the account. Two experienced leaders of observation groups will support this process of developing and sharing thoughts.

Participants who do not have much prior experience of the psychoanalytic discussion of observational reports will thus have the opportunity to get to know the nature and purpose of this approach. Experienced participants and group leaders also may share some thoughts about the discussion process and different styles of leading a group.

The organisational committee intends to create internationally mixed groups of participants. To allow for language limitation, groups will be available in both English and German.  We hope all conference members will be able to attend the Friday afternoon groups so as to maximise the shared work of the conference. The organisational committee will inform about the locations and other details one or two weeks in advance of the conference.

The presentation and discussions on Saturday, 20th April 2024, and Sunday, 21st April 2024, will be conducted in English. The organisational committee plans to provide the papers in a written version on a screen.

The presentation of each paper will take 25 minutes, the discussion afterwards 20 minutes. Plenary presentations will take place as well as parallel sessions. Chairpersons will help the participants to comply with the specified time structure.