IPA World Congress
The highlight of the IPA’s international calendar is the IPA World Congress. The entire IPA family gathers to review the events of the previous year and determines the future direction for the IPA.
The World Congress is a prestigious IPA event which has been hosted annually since 1955, when Arthur Troop worked untiringly to form the foundations of other National Sections of the IPA. By this year, there were Sections in the majority of Western Europe, and Arthur Troop became the first International Secretary General at this historic event.
The IPA World Congress culminates in a week filled with friendship, laughter and joy. It is where the IPA family reunites every year and alongside the main agenda, provides participants with fantastic entertainment, meals (including a gala dinner) and opportunities to socialise with friends from all over the world.
The main agenda of the World Congress deals with motions that are proposed by both National Sections and the International Executive Board (IEB), which are then voted on by the representatives of each National Section (one delegate and up to two observers), as well as the IEB having a collective vote, and using a majority voting system. Elections are also held to determine the members of the IEB every four years.
Cancellation of the IPA World Congress 2020 + New dates for 2021
The entire world has been affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and many countries and governments across the world are enforcing strict measures and regulations in order to moderate the spread of the virus. This has led to lockdowns, national borders being closed, bans on travelling, gatherings being prohibited, and much more, across the world.
Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of how this global event will play out in the near future, the IEB, in coordination with IPA Spain, have decided to cancel the upcoming 65th World Congress which was due to be held in Lloret de Mar, part of the Costa Brava, from 13-18 October 2020. Alongside this, the subsequent Friendship Week has also been cancelled.
These unprecedented times are affecting everyone across the world, and it seems that it will remain with us for a while. The health and safety of our members and their families is a top priority, but rest assured we will meet again in the future to celebrate the friendship of the IPA.
The IEB and IPA Spain have agreed to postpone the 65th IPA World Congress and Friendship Week until the following dates, at the same location in Spain:
65th IPA World Congress: 5 – 10 October 2021
Friendship Week: 10 – 17 October 2021
