Many yeas prior there had been a conference in Vancouver with an International title. It drew presenters from thirteen nations if my memory serves. Delegates paraded their national flags into the meeting room. My own province sent its Minister of Child and Family Services which was huge at the time. Group care was just beginning its growth phase then. The goal was to repeat them every three years but the world aspect was reduced to Americans and Canadians for the most part. The goal became to alternate internationals but there were issues over branding entitlements and the integrity of the label. The World's emerged with some enthusiasm with Vienna and Durban following suit.
Truth be known, it all comes down to networking, outlook and yes, that felt need to gather with those with similar traits. Child and youth care remains what I view as a precarious and extremely diverse field. Core beliefs appear to determine those felt needs which can include standards of care, various treatment philosophies and yes, the profit motive. Most agencies and facilities draw firm philosophical and defined boundaries to the exclusion of all others. The association movements in Canada and the United States, perhaps the world only attract a fraction of those in practice, those which trend towards care, holistic outlooks, balance and putting the young person first. Practice becomes a matter finding the right fit in the work, learning and networking.
