Fish-bowl discussion (GAS, EFPP, IAGP and EGATIN)
14th. European Symposium in Group Analysis in Dublin, 2008.
Kristian Valbak, Chair of EGATIN
I will begin my introduction by reminding you, that the members of EGATIN are training institutions and the main
focus for EGATIN are training issues.
I think, it is a good idea to discuss the future for our societies and member organisations and over the last 4-5
years I have spent some time thinking about the role and the future of EGATIN.
In my mind, there is no doubt that EGATIN and GAS must continue as two separate organisations for some time
to come. If you look at both EGATIN and GAS in the light of what our respective members require, I think that
EGATIN can meet several ‘needs’ of the member training institutes in Europe.
1. EGATIN could be seen as providing a matrix for the active representatives of the Institutes and it is my
impression that EGATIN contributes substantially to the European Group Analytic Identity. Although EGATIN is
not an accrediting organization, membership of EGATIN is recognized as a quality mark for training.
2. EGATIN has in the past - and could in the future - offer knowledge and support regarding the organisation of a
new training, for example by bringing forward examples of similar organizational processes, learning and
solutions (and practical codes) from other Institutes. EGATIN facilitates exchange between local trainings and the
broader Group Analytic milieu - a possibility by moving from country to country. The tradition has been to invite a
diversity of engaged colleagues to have a close encounter with local training cultures.
3. I believe EGATIN represents a democratic organisation which offers equality in our meetings, regardless of
age or level of training in the institutes. In GAS by contrast, I feel tempted to say, one sometimes get the feeling
that ‘some animals are more equal than others’.
For me it has always been a matter of great importance to facilitate listening and understanding of the
presentations and the discussions in EGATIN. This means also to use any AV-help available to communicate the
points. Regarding organisational questions and decisions to be taken about conflicting issues, it is important that
you can argue your case. It therefore matters, whether English is your native tongue or not. In EGATIN the official
language has been said to be ‘bad English’, accommodating the fact that there is a language barrier. One of the
tasks of EGATIN is to listen, not to dictate or regulate.
4. Finally, one of the differences between GAS and EGATIN, I believe, is the awareness and vulnerability people
feel in relations to the (health) market place. People are looking for ways of using their group analytic education
and skills, while at the same times trying to make a living along with other parties. This means of course that
applied forms of Group Analysis are in their interest and that they are looking for organisations to help them with
this.
GAS has a respected academic and intellectual tradition with sometimes an ambivalent attitude to the ‘medical
model’. I think this has been experienced as resistance to pragmatic ways of using Group Analysis in the National
Health System.
In EGATIN we have left the work of making a certificate for group analytic institutes to the EFPP. However, we
are of course pleased that the Essential Training Standards of EGATIN have been used so well in defining EFPP
training requirements. However, as it has also been evident from debate and presentations made by EGATIN
regarding this matter, there are some difficulties which go along with such a certification, which could also result in
a restriction to the planning of trainings. However - as a member of the working party on certification - I am
prepared to continue the work for some kind of certificate.
I am aware of the generalisations I have made in these remarks. However I hope you will find them useful as a
basis for a fruitful discussion. I think in the last years there has been a growing exchange of interests between the
different organisations, and I can say that in the EGATIN committee we will continue to work in collaboration with
our different organisations - for our mutual benefit and for the benefit of Group Analysis.
14.8 2008
Rev. 1.10 2008