I am very pleased to welcome you to the 14th European Congress on Work and Organizational Psychology to be held in Santiago de Compostela from 13 to 16 May 2009. The Congress is being organized by the Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Psicòlogos (COP) under the auspices of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP).

The Congress has always represented for the EAWOP the most important event in the association’s life. It is an international occasion for work and organizations psychologists to meet; an opportunity to disseminate research results in different areas of W/O psychology; and a forum for discussion between researchers and practitioners. For these reasons, the congress is a key part of EAWOP's mission.

The 14th Congress at Santiago de Compostela follows the outstanding success of the 2007 Stockholm Congress hosted by the Swedish Psychological Association. That occasion saw a notable increase in the number of attendees, accompanied by a surge in the EAWOP membership. These results confirm that an increasing number of W/O psychologists in Europe regard international discussion as essential for the best development of their research and professional practice. It is a cause of much satisfaction that the EAWOP has been able to respond to this increasing need.

But the congress is not the only event promoted by the EAWOP. New activities and new services have recently been activated. Small Group Meetings have been organized so that a restricted number of researchers can discuss the main issues of the European labour force (older workers; contingent workforce; new contracts between individual and organizations; etc.). Currently being defined and proposed is an advanced Eurodiploma in W/O psychology. With the European Federation of Psychology Association, we are developing and implementing a standard for the use of work-relevant psychological tests. Changes are being made to enable individual online access to the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. And currently being examined are ways to broaden the range of scientific publications promoted by the EAWOP.

Finally, especial efforts are being made to promote new constituents and to widen contacts in emerging European areas. This is the case, for instance, of the countries of Eastern Europe, in which relationships with new constituents are being consolidated.

I strongly believe that the 14th Congress of Santiago de Compostela will confirm the positive growth trend of our association and of W/O Psychology in Europe. It will also be an opportunity to experience one of the most representative sites of culture and spirituality in European history.

For these reasons, I hope to meet you all at Santiago de Compostela in 2009.

Franco Fraccaroli
European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP)