International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA)

Positive psychology is an exciting new field of inquiry that has captured the interest of thousands of researchers, practitioners, and students from around the world. This burgeoning area of psychology focuses on the study and practice of the positive emotions, strengths, and virtues that make individuals and institutions thrive. Since its inception in 1998, the field has seen an investment of tens of millions of dollars in research, the founding of several scientific journals, the development of masters, and Ph.D. programs in key universities, and reports in major news outlets (including cover stories in Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report). In addition, the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) has grown to thousands of members from more than 70 countries!

Mission:
IPPA has a three-part mission:
• To promote the science of positive psychology and its research-based applications.
• To facilitate collaboration among researchers, teachers, students, and practitioners of positive psychology around the world and across academic disciplines.
• To share the findings of positive psychology with the broadest possible audience.
In all of these endeavors, they want to create rigorous standards for positive psychology, so that the field always represents the very best levels of current knowledge.

Vision:
International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA) vision of the organization is of one that will integrate the positive psychology activities around the world. They want to work with national and regional organizations, not supplant them, so that there is coordination of their activities. IPPA hopes to support the global dialogue of both researchers and practitioners working in the field of positive psychology.