Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4 business meeting following the second Euro-PA conference, that. members would make an effort to keep one another informed of possible funding sources, and that this would continue to be a topic of discussion. Indeed, an informative presentation on how to pursue funding for research projects had already been presented at the conference (Parker, 1989) (for further information on the second Furo-PA conference, see Watt, 1990). The issue of public relations is camplex given the many differences which exist among the European countries lay populations. While there is a generally high level of lay interest in parapsychology in Europe, this is especially marked in some countries, with The Netherlands possessing arguably the greatest degree of such lay interest. Other countries are confronted by a most vociferous sceptical community, West Germany being a notable example. Much of the discussion regarding public relations had focused on the interest accorded our field by the lay population. To address and support this population, several members were in favor of supporting a popular journal where formally conducted research, including that published in our professional journals, would be re-written in a manner accessible to laymen. Here again, language difficulties intervened. It was feared that an English language journal would not address the needs of many non-English speaking laymen, and producing such a journal in several languages was obviously beyond the means of the Euro~PA members. In the end, it was decided that the pursuing of both public relations and publication activities per se were beyond the scope of the Euro-PA members. However , with regard to professional publications, at the business meeting @ motion to support the European Journal of Parapsychology by publishing research in that journal was strongly carried. Twenty~one (75 per cent) of the respondents thought that inter-laboratory - research projects should be a priority of the Euro-PA, with eleven indicating interest in participating in such projects. Supporting this idea is difficult due to many reasons previously discussed (e.g., lack of labs, distance between researchers, lack of funds, etc.). Nonetheless, means of making inter-lab (or inter-researcher, as the case may be) research more of a reality continues to be a topic for active discussion, and as shall be shortly discussed, some strides are occurring in that direction. One final comment about the Furo-PA concerns language. ‘The question of language was not raised in the questionnaire, as prior to holding the first conference, it was decided that English would be spoken at the conference, and indeed, all communications about the conference, and the Euro-PA in general, have been in English. . The reason for this is simply that it is the language of which the greatest number of Euro-PA members have at least sare knowledge. Yet, some of our members, even those who are multi-lingual, find communication in English very difficult. And as previously mentioned, not only is it difficult for sane to express themselves in English, also it can be difficult for others to understand them, especially those for whom English is not their first language. Also, there have been a few instances where language difficulties have dissuaded researchers from attending the Furo-PA 69 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4
96. 00009-4 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0004001 conferences, Furthermore, it has been evident during the discussion periods, that sane conference participants fing communicating their ideas in. English problematic, and therefore are less active in the discussions. The possibility of hiring translators was raised, and rejected for obvious financial reasons. Thus, for lack of a better alternative, English has been adopted as the language of the Euro-PA, although it offers a less than ideal solution to the language problem. Also, language problems may be a contributing factor to an observed north/south divide which has occurred at the two Euro-pa conferences helg | thus far. Most conference participants are fram northern European countries, most notably Great Britain, West Germany and Holland, while no one living in Spain or Italy (southern, Mediterranean countries) has attended the conferences as yet. There are Many possible reasons other than languages differences for this apparent divide, such as differing approaches/interests, Standards and the more northernly~oriented location (in The Netherlands) of the two previous Euro~PA ‘s, Partially as an attempt to address a few of these possibilities, the 1990 Euro-PA will be held in France, a country which occupies a central location having boundaries with both ‘northern and southern’ European countries, If the reason for the lack of southern participation is location, as Opposed to language, it is hoped that the 1990 conference will attract attendees } from the southern countries. However, if language is an important factor } in the north/south divide, simply shifting the location of the conference | is likely to have little effect. The primary problem facing Furopean researchers has been identified as a lack of funding. The Furo-PA has not been able to find a direct answer to this problem, and, as discussed above, given its (lack of) | Organization, it is not in a position to do so. The most the Euro-PA has been able to accomplish thus far is to host very low cost conferences, which makes the conferences more accessible to its members. Yet there are still potential Euro~PA participants who, not living on the continental Mainland, fina travel expenses a prohibitive factor. On occasion the PA has provided travel grants for a limited number of overseas attendees who would have otherwise been unable to attend the annual convention. Indeed, this year the PA has dedicated $2000.00 for this Purpose. This is an third Puro-pa {to be held in France in October 1990), that we adopt a similar scheme which would be funded by Charging all conference participants a4 minimal fee on top of that required to meet conference expenses, However, there are several indirect ways in which the Furo~PA may have a positive effect upon the European funding situation. One such means ‘ involves the Furo-PA’s decision to invite researchers fran other fields to i our conferences, Parapsychology is an interdisciplinary field, and ! through increased interaction with those from other related fields, there may arise joint research projects which examine issues of concern to both Parapsychology and other fields. Such projects may have better funding Opportunities than do projects concerned solely with Parapsychological issues. Another possible way the Furo~PA could serve to indirectly aid i 70 00009-4 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0004001
Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4 the funding situation, is via the increased cammunication with one another that has resulted from the conferences. Most European countries (those who are members of the European Economic Community or ERC) are currently combining econamic forces, and in 1992 many economic boundaries which have previously separated these European countries will cease to exist. One outcame of this is that research proposals which involve researchers and institutions in different EEC countries are currently being encouraged by the various governmental bodies who normally finance scientific research, via the offering of preferential consideration to such joint research proposals. The increased communication among researchers stemming from the Furo-PA conferences may encourage the formation of such Joint research projects. Also, while this is purely speculation, we may also shortly be finding similar funding encouragement (from the EEC or specific governments) to conduct joint research projects with those countries which were previously behind the ‘iron curtain’. Again, the Euro-PA offers an excellent means of bringing such researchers together. Language also remains a problem for which no immediate solution is apparent. To this observer, it appears that most of the younger members of the Euro-PA are increasingly fluent in spoken English. Yet an increasing level of fluency in English does not necessarily address many of the problems that Alvarado (1989) noted, as writing and translating in English can remain a very difficult and time-consuming task. It should also be noted that the recent crumbling of the “iron curtain’ could increase the iunber of ‘@!fferent languages encountered within European parapsychology (and all the problems inherent therein), although at the moment this is purely a manner of speculation. In his article Alvarado (1989) suggests four strategies which could minimize the problems raised by language differences, namely: 1) publishing in English the summaries, bibliographies and reviews of works originally published in other languages; 2) English~language journals actively seeking and encouraging publication of the research of foreign-language speakers; 3) developing an active translation policy into English of works previously published in foreign languages; and, 4) efforts on the part of the PA to encourage greater foreign participation. These suggestions were aimed at the ‘conventional’ communication and collaboration network, and they are all excellent strategies, the implementation of which would benefit all. However, as Alvarado notes ‘possible solutions such as conferences and translations may prove to be expensive and, consequently, beyond the means of groups and individuals’ (pg. 134). As has previously been discussed, they would certainly be beyond the means of the European parapsychology community. There is one problem area which, in the opinion of the author, the Euro-PA has successfully addressed. It has decreased the isolation of individual researchers and of research groups from each other and, by this means, greatly increased cammunication and collaboration between individual researchers and also between the various research groups. As has been previously stated, asa consequence of the conferences we know ene another better on a personal level, and have a much better 71 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4
00009-4 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0004001 understanding of each other’s ideas and research perspectives. We are able to exchange research ideas and learn of specific deve lopments made b members, who have thus far always expressed a willingness to share ideas, software developments, etc. Also, it should be noted that this increase in communication has not been restricted to those who attend the conferences. Via the questionnaire, all Euro~pa Members were able to voice an opinion of what they wanted to see develop in European parapsychology. Indeed, over a third of the returned questionnaires (36 per cent) were received from people who have not attended a EFuro-pa conference, as of yet. Also, all Euro~PA members are kept abreast of developments via Mailings, regardless of whether they attend the conference or return questionnaires, And, as reflected by our mailing list, the number of Euro-PA members has increased by over twelve per cent Since the first Euro-PA conference. With recent developments in Fastern Europe, we hope we will see further increases in the near future. In an attempt to further aid communication, a directory is being compiled by the Edinburgh research unit which will be sent to all Buro-pa members, While similar to the PA directory, it includes some additional information, such as whether members are interested in conducting research and/or corresponding with one another, and whether they have other areas of expertise relevant to but outwith parapsychology per se about which they would be willing to offer help and advice, It is hoped One another, Thus, while many of the problems facing European parapsychologists remain unaddressed, the formation of the Paro-PA has done much to improve comiunication and collaboration between researchers. There igs Still much room for improvement, and it is hoped that future years will produce greater interaction and See the development of inter-lab research projects. At the least, the Euro~PA has provided us with an Opportunity to improve some of the circumstances confronting European parapsychology, and it places us in a better position to take advantage of other opportunities which may develop. 72 00009-4 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0004001 Gee
Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4 References Alvarado, Carlos A. (1989) The language barrier in parapsychology. Journal of Parapsychology, Vol. 53, No. 2., pp. 125~139 Beloff, John (1990) personal communication Blackmore, Susan (1989) 1988 Furo-PA Conference. Parapsychology Review, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 5-7 ; Johnson, Martin (1976) Some reflections after the P.A. Convention. European Journal of Parapsychology, Vol. 1, No. 3, po. 1-5 Johnson, Martin (1978) Are we ready for the establishment of a European branch of the Parapsychological Association. European Journal of Parapsychology, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 203-205 Johnson, Martin (1979) The Furopean regional branch of the Parapsychological Association (FERPA) is now established. European Journal of Parapsychology, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 1-2 Parker, Adrian (1989) Applying for Research Funding in Parapsychology. Paper presented to the Second Annual Euro-PA Conference, Vught, The Netherlands, Nov. 10-12 Watt, Caroline (1990) Euro-PA 1989. Parapsychology Review, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. lo0-1l 73 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4 once me,
eRe, Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4 5. Please provide further information regarding what, if any, = public relations activities you think the Euro-PA should pursue. Also, it has; been suggested that the general public may appreciate having a “journal” available which presented high quality research in a popular, non-teclniical manner. Do you support this idea, and if se, would you be willing to contribute popular versions of any technical articles you may publish in other professional journals? As such a journal would need to be published in different languages according to country, would you be willing to help with the translation, editorial, and/or administrative work involved in producing such a journal in your country? Publicity? 3. occasional public/press releases by Bitro-PA 2 use existing media Popular Journal? 8 in favour 1 1 against 7 volunteer to help write or produce Other? 1 help translate popular books _, 1 Produce six-monthly newsletter 6. Presently, the Furopean Journal of Parapsychology (BJP) is the primary technically-oriented research journal published in Europe which is aimed at an exclusively professional parapsychological audience. (We now have the Journal of ‘theoretical Parapsychology as well.) The future of this journal is currently uncertain. Do you feel that the Furo-PA should be involved in supporting the continuance of EJP, or some other similar professionally-oriented journal? Would you be willing to contribute — to such a publication as an author, editor, translator, and/or administrator? Support EJP/ 15 for supporting EJP or similar Technical Journal? technical journal 9 volunteer help to write or produce Other? 1 combine EJP and JSPR resources 1 Euro-PA supports but doesn't runoa technical journal 1 reorient present journals to wider Field of abnormal psychology 1 too many technical journals 7, What other comments do you have? 1 EJP too dry 1 English should be the official Euro-PA conference language 1 .Euro-PA should seek to affiliate with other scientific and professional bodies 1 membership of Euro-PA should be through contribution to development of Darapsych., and election by council, as PA ] Euro-PA members should lower barriers by writing articles for other professions 1 research would suffer if time devoted to popular fournal too few parapsychologists to allow Euro-PA to be active in public relations, fund-raising, publications 77 Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400100009-4