Roots V Conference

This is the fifth Roots Conference. Beginning in Paris in 2003 with, “The European
Roots of Gestalt Therapy” Conference, and continuing with Roots II in Antwerp,
2005, in Rome in 2007, and Budapest in 2009, these conferences have provided
an opportunity to focus on Gestalt theory and its development and application. The theme of Roots V is Gestalt Organizational Development.

The Gestalt approach has, from the beginning, had a major influence in the
development of organizational development (OD). This includes the work of
Kurt Lewin who is seen by many as the father of OD as well as a major influence
on the Gestalt approach with his contribution of field theory. Gestalt practitioners
have played an important role in the development of National Training Labs (NTL),
the birthplace of OD, with Gestaltists serving major roles in the organization including members of the board. In 2010 four Gestalt OD consultants were featured at the
OD World Summit in Budapest, Hungary. These included John Nkum, Marcella
Bensen-Quaziena and Janet Fiero (representing Carolyn Lukensmeyer’s America Speaks), and Joseph Melnick representing GISC.

Most recently, Edwin C. Nevis was the recipient of the Organizational Development Network (ODN) Lifetime Achievement Award for his many contributions to the theory and practice of organizational development. GISC has developed a designation of Gestalt Organizational Consultant (see page ), and internationally, the European Association of Gestalt Therapy is now certifying OD training programs and practitioners.

It is time for us to come together and join in celebrating the roots of Gestalt OD by presenting theory and practice that is currently being developed by individuals
throughout the world. The intent is also to honor Edwin D. Nevis, who is widely
seen as the father of Gestalt OD.

We are gathering a list of internationally recognized presenters and will continue to
add to the group. Invited presenters include:

Among the current topics are: History, Development, Applications, Current Trends,
and Future Directions.

Format

ROOTS has developed a specific format: all presentations are in plenary and followed by small group work to process the content, and then a plenary report-back session. Our aim is that all participants and presenters are fully involved in all aspects of the conference. Our hope is to generate collective knowledge.

In addition, our intention is to encourage all presenters to develop their presentations as journal articles, including the comments and inputs from the plenary sessions.

Dates and Fees:

The Roots V Conference will take place at:

Bommersvik Conference Centre
Bommersvik
Sweden

Via e-mail: receptionen@bommersvik.se
Via Phone: 08-552 410 00
URL: http://www.bommersvik.se/

Please contact Bommersvik Conference Centre (http://www.bommersvik.se/) directly
to make arrangements for accommodations.

For further information or details about the conference, contact:

• Gestalt Iinternational Study Center (GISC) (office@gisc.org)

• Gestalt Academy of Scandinavia (info@gestaltakademin.se)

• Perlan Dialogue & Leadership (info@perlan.se)