The First World Congress on Positive Psychology, sponsored by the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), kicks off next Thursday, June 18th at 6:00 PM with talks by two of the world’s most renowned psychologists:

Martin Seligman University of Pennsylvania Fox Leadership Professor of Psychology, Founding Director of the Positive Psychology Center		Philip Zimbardo Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Stanford University

Seligman and Zimbardo will discuss how the science of positive psychology is changing the way we live our lives on an individual, societal, and global level.

Additionally, positive psychologists from around the world will present latest research, ideas, and applications on how to increase happiness and well-being. The inaugural international conference takes place June 18th – June 21st, 2009 at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Formally founded in 1998 by Dr. Martin Seligman and colleagues, positive psychology focuses on the study and practice of the positive emotions, strengths, and virtues that make individuals and institutions thrive.

Schedule Highlights

• David Cooperrider –Discovery and Design of Positive Institutions
• Ed Diener – New Findings on Happiness
• Giovanni Fava – Well-Being Therapy
• Raymond Fowler–Positive Health
• Barbara Fredrickson–Positive Emotions
• Alexandra Freund– Successful Aging
• Michael Frese –Active Approaches to Work
• Anthony Grant – Evidence-Based Coaching
• Richard Layard – Happiness and Public Policy
• Karen Reivich/Jane Gilham – Positive Psychology Interventions for Children and Adolescents
• Robert Vallerand –The Psychology of Passion
• Carmelo Vázquez – Positive Side of Trauma
• Matthew White – Positive Education

An estimated 1,500 international attendees – including researchers, clinicians, educators, coaches, and consultants – are expected at IPPA’s inaugural World Congress.

“In just its first year of existence, IPPA has grown to thousands of members from 80 countries, attesting to the increasing global interest in the burgeoning field of positive psychology,” remarked James Pawelski, executive director of IPPA.

The International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) was created to promote the science and practice of positive psychology and to facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers and practitioners around the world who are interested in positive psychology.

For more information, and to register for the World Congress, click here.

Image: Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, courtesy of vera46.