The year of 2003
Evolution is a patient process whereupon new forms leisurely take shape, not necessarily according to an expected human mind design, yet stable as they can be at the time of their occurrence. Our Association undergoes this process at the moment and if you ask me I am happy with it. 2003 is not the time for revolution, rather for evolution. We need to consolidate our Association, internally and externally, and that is precisely what we all are doing at the BOD and the committees. I am not a believer in quick disproportionate growth and I generally prefer a constant stable development. In 2003 we have to nourish our Association so it can progress in an unimpeded and healthy way.
We are working, now as last year, on establishing firm contacts worldwide with universities, schools, and other educational institutions offering serious programs in the field of animal behavior and animal behavior therapy. First contacts, where we introduce the ACABC and give an offer of co-operation, are important at this stage of our development. They are encouraging as well, in as much as we have only received positive responses so far. We have also established deeper contacts. We are at the moment in close negotiations with some institutions in Europe and in the US, and monitoring the development of others. This being my personal task, I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to hand over these institutions to our BOPC for their final approval as AEPs. We hope our list of approved education providers will have grown larger by the end of the year. Another encouraging fact are the mails I have personally received from practitioners in animal behavior in Europe enquiring about education programs through our schools as well as membership of the association.
Since this is our first newsletter in 2003, and better late than never, as they say, I wish you all a prosperous 2003. Many thanks to the membership, the BOD, and the committees for their work in the foregone year!
Yours truly,
Roger Abrantes, PhD
President
