From Dr. Danielle Nahon, University of Ottawa
Having attended over 200 academic conferences around the world, your International Meaning Conference held in Toronto this July and August stands out as a unique academic forum. First, this is the only conference of its kind in the world, with an existential,
meaning-centred focus. Secondly, I found the level of scholarship to be outstanding. If anything, there was an embarrassment of riches. Every hour there were so many different sessions to choose from, from academic research papers to workshops by invited topics on the timely and important topic of death and dying with dignity and meaningfulness. Third, I have never seen so many plenary presentations available at a conference; I had to get up extra early to be there for the first and second plenary speaker, and that was just the first part of each day’s program! Finally, it was great to have such a breadth of attendees, from the many students from Canada and other countries that attended, to leaders in their fields from academic settings all over the world. I have made good contacts and look forward to future dialogue with colleagues from Indonesia, Taiwan, the USA, and Australia.
From George Abbott,
Minister of Health, BC
On behalf of the government of
British Columbia, I am pleased to send greetings to the
participants in the Addiction, Meaning and Spirituality
conference and to welcome you to Vancouver.
This government has long recognized
addictions as a health issue. BC is proud of the strides
we have made in integrated mental health and addictions
services and supports that meet the health needs of our
communities. We have drawn on the best practices to promote
a compassionate and effective response to problematic substance
use and addictions in our communities and to support individuals
and their families in the recovery process.
As participants in this international
conference you will have the opportunity to share your experience
and your expertise and to examine the current evidence in
addictions care and its application.
From Anthony E. Brown, M.D., M.P.H., Baylor
College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine
It was a privilege to meet all
of you at the Vancouver "Addiction, Meaning, and Spirituality?
Conference.
It was an excellent and well organized
conference with insightful keynote speakers and presenters.
I want to thank all of you for organizing this great program
and for the opportunity to present a poster there.
From William F. Evans, Ph.D., James Madison
University (Now INPM President)
It was such a pleasure to meet
Paul and Lilian, and to experience firsthand the vision,
faith, compassion and determination they both have for INPM!
I truly enjoyed the conference - Paul brought in some truly
inspiring speakers, and Cindy and I met some wonderful people
affiliated with INPM. I look forward to our ongoing friendship!
From Pam Meredith Scarfone
What a wonderful conference and
wonderful people. I thought the conference had diverse topics,
lively debate, talented speakers, and compassionate people
obviously full of commitment to their work and the field.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to participate.
Thank you again, I will always remember the hippo!
From Alexander Batthyany, Ph.D., Department
of Philosophy of Science, University of Vienna
Yesterday night, I arrived back
in Vienna and, guess what, I already miss your company and
the company of the many, many nice colleagues I came to
know and the friends I made during these remarkable days
in Vancouver. I also relish how fast and natural our friendship
grew. Just as if it was to be (thanks to Irmeli). I would
like to thank you for being such superb hosts and for nourishing
it in so many ways (scientifically, personally, and not
to forget the tasty and mouthwatering menus). To summ it
all up in one word: it was a personally inspiring and scientifically
important conference and I am looking forward to our growing
and continuing friendship and collaboration between INPM
and the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna. Thanks again and
my best greetings (also from the Frankl-Family which joins
me in sending you cordial greetings).
From Kenneth E. Hart, Ph.D., Associate
Professor of Psychology, University of Windsor
Congratulations on hosting a successful
conference! I'm writing to say my attendance and involvement
in the sessions was both edifying and enjoyable. It refreshing
to see people smile at an academic symposium. The shared
enthusiasm was clear to see and refreshing. My impression
was that the delegates all shared a strong sense of mission
and purpose. I felt privileged to share company with the
special breed of delegates you were able to attract. The
delegates consisted of a heterogenous group, which was a
strength. I liked the opportunity to understand different
world views and to build bridges and cross disciplinary
boundaries. If we are to advance viable solutions to the
problem of addictiions, so much integration needs to be
done to close gaps. In this regard, I feel the conference
helped bring stakeholders that much closer. Personally,
I found the experience to be valuable from a personal and
professional standpoint. Attending the sessions enhanced
my knowledge and competence as a scholar and researcher.
I also found the opportunity to informally interact with
other delegates during the lunches and dinners to be beneficial.
During this informal sessions meant for socializing, I gave
and received a number of business cards from delegates who
shared common values. Thanks for providing a wonderful opportunity
to network with others concerned with the three way intersection
of addiction, meaning and spirituality. If everyone benefited
as I did, you should feel very satsified that such a high
level of value was added. Speaking personally, my welfare
has been enhanced by attending and participating in the
Vancouver experience. I'm grateful you had the vision to
host such a specialized conference and that you followed
through with all your hard work. Congratulations on being
a trailblazer.
Again, I extend my sincere thanks
to you and everyone on the organizing committee for a job
well done! It all came together because you were able to
work in harmony together in a unified team effort. Bravo!
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