Welcome note for the 16th EAWOP Congress 2013
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
we cordially invite you to Münster for the 16th congress of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP), which will be held in and around the Münster Palace from 22nd to 25th of May, 2013. The congress is organized by the two German EAWOP constituents (Section Work, Organizational and Business Psychology of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie; Section Business Psychology of the Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen e.V.) who have formed a local organizing committee together with the University of Münster.
The bi-annual EAWOP congresses have a long and successful history that started in 1983 when work and organizational psychology became professionalized. Today, the EAWOP congress is one of the three largest international conferences of work and organizational psychologist worldwide, and the largest in Europe. In 2013, we expect more than 1.200 scientists and practitioners to attend the congress for three exciting days. The theme of the 16th congress, “Imagine the future world: How do we want to work tomorrow?” intends to inspire new and innovative ideas on how to master the manifold new challenges we experience in work organizations today and tomorrow, such as globalization and digitalization of economic processes, flexible work with remote partners, demographic changes, financial turbulences, and growing climatic problems. Therefore, this congress is not only a stimulating event for the community of work and organizational psychologists, but shall also provide inspiring ideas and concepts for decision makers in related disciplines, consultancies, and politics.
As organizers, we strive to realize an interesting congress program, including internationally renowned keynote speakers, interactive symposia and workshops, panel discussions, book and software exhibitions, etc. In doing so, we particularly support the interaction between scientists and practitioners as a core part of EAWOP’s general mission. Moreover, social events such as the conference party and the opening and closing ceremonies complement the colorful program and provide many opportunities for networking or simply having a good time. (In end of May, the weather conditions are usually quite stable and sunny with temperatures around 15 degree Celsius and more.)
Last but not least, the city of Münster provides a unique and beautiful background for this congress. The city has a long history of influential meetings for the European history. For instance, in 1648, the Peace of Westphalia ended one of the most destructive European conflicts (the “Thirty Years’ War”) in Münster. While this history is still present in the ancient buildings and places throughout the city of Münster, modern architecture is integrated elegantly, demonstrating a successful blending of old and new elements that nicely reflects the general idea of the congress theme. Moreover, as the capital city of bicycles and Germany’s Climate Protection Capital, the city of Münster is an internationally well known model for environmental protection (which will also be a goal for the congress). Thus, in addition to an exciting congress, Münster offers a beautiful and interesting place to visit and to explore.
We are looking forward to meeting you in Münster in May 2013!
Guido Hertel & Heinz Holling
Chairs of the Local Organizing Committee
