Han Groen-Prakken Psychoanalytic Institute for Eastern Europe, 2002

Henk-Jan Dalewijk, accepting for Han Groen-Prakken Psychoanalytic Institute

This institute was named for Han Groen-Prakken, a psychoanalyst in Amsterdam who has worked tirelessly with Eastern European colleagues and who, with others, have laid the foundation for psychoanalysis in that region. This is a substantial achievement when it is considered that, until 1989, psychoanalysis was largely forbidden in that region and Eastern European colleagues were required to work with the legacy of these restrictions.

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall there has been an increasing demand for psychoanalysis in post-communist countries. This is due to many factors, not least those social, economic and political factors which have had a devastating impact and which have left many people deeply traumatized, and countless others depressed and insecure.

In addition many educational opportunities are denied colleagues in the region. Inflation and low incomes make university education beyond the reach of many. Still many individuals have achieved both academic and professional success often at great personal sacrifice. Many of these talented and committed men and women have aspirations to train as psychoanalysts to enable them to support their communities and relieve individual suffering.

The Han Groen-Prakken Psychoanalytic Institute For Eastern Europe offers support for these fledging analysts, including interest free loans to support their educational endeavors.