Report of First International Congress of Sociodrama

[Manuela Maciel]

Dear Colleagues

What is Sociodrama?

In my view, Sociodrama was maybe a "lost child" but it seams now like a new
born baby in the world, very welcome in these times of change

We just had the First International Congress of Sociodrama in Carcavelos,
Portugal with 150 people attending from 14 different countries.

A very interested and interesting group in which language differences, time
constraints and culture differences created the necessary tension that
mirrors the real world.

Even with these natural tensions we were able to create an atmosphere of
cooperation and of mutual learning.

The 150 registrations, in this low-cost non-profit Congress, came from
Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Teachers, Social Services, Ocupational
Therapists, Consultants, Journalists, Students  and many others.

There was a volunteer organizing committee of about 20 people (mostly
Portuguese Sociodrama Directors trained by SPP - Portuguese Psychodrama
Association) that really helped to create a harmonious and warm atmosphere.
The President of FEPTO, Judith Tsezary, the President Elect of IAGP, Jorge
Burmesiter and a letter from Zerka Moreno (presented by Jeanne Burguer) were
there, to give even more credit to this important event.

The program was about sharing experiences in the application of Sociodrama
to Education, Organizations and Community Intervention. We had 5
presentations and 12 workshops apart from the everyday large group sessions.

In the end it was decided with the large group that the next Congress will
be in Sweden/ Finland, with 4 volunteers from these countries offering to
take that responsibility.

It was a very rich and enthusiastic Congress where also a DVD was produced
and it will be ready soon and a Discussion Group about Sociodrama
Definitions was created.

.

Let`s ALL take care of this beautiful baby!

Warmly,

Manuela Maciel

(Chair of IAGP Psychodrama Section and Coordinator of Organizing Committee
of International Sociodrama Congress)