The World Association of Psychoanalysis is a consequence of Dr Jacques Lacan’s teaching as it has become widespread throughout the world. It is the first international association since that founded by Freud, which brings together psychoanalysts in an orientation that carries J. Lacan’s battle. It is the second worldwide network after the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA).
With this World Association, we will have the necessary instrument to efficiently realise the reconquest of the Freudian Field, thus expanding our domain, both in Latin America and in North America, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe, Japan and Australia, which now awaits and welcomes the teaching of Lacan.
Jacques-Alain Miller, El nacimiento del Campo Freudiano.
The World Association of Psychoanalysis is, in some way, the “plus-one” of the Schools representing what we have in common.
Jacques-Alain Miller, El nacimiento del Campo Freudiano.
The WAP is an association under French law (law 1901). Its headquarters are at 5 rue de Lille, in Paris.
Characterised by the diversity of languages and styles, its objective is to develop and keep psychoanalysis of the Lacanian orientation alive in the world. It intends to work towards progress in study (research activities) and psychoanalytic practice (constant evaluation of results and its progress) in accordance with the teaching of Jacques Lacan.
In each of its Schools, it encourages the creation of CPCTs, free Consultation Centres, so that psychoanalytic treatment remains within the reach of the general public. It is concerned with mental health legislation in the different countries in which it operates. The WAP is a UN non-governmental organisation.
Key Dates
Founded on 3 January 1992 in Buenos Aires, the Escuela de la Orientacion Lacaniana (EOL). Its headquarters are in Buenos Aires; it brings together sections, delegations, antennas and cartel circles in Argentina and in Uruguay.
The founding of the EOL paved the way for the creation of the World Association of Psychoanalysis, bringing together the present and future Schools of the Freudian Field. Approved immediately by the four Schools of the Freudian Field, it was declared on 1 February in Paris, when the Paris Pact was signed.
Decision to create a Brazilian School: Escola Brasileira de Psicanalise, the first school founded from the WAP.
Creation of a Brazilian school, the Escola Brasileira de Psicanálise, on 30 April 1995 in Rio de Janeiro. It is composed of 7 sections distributed across Brazil.
The first two GAs served as Congresses, pending the holding of the first WAP Congress in 1998.
Creation of the Spanish School, the Escuela Lacaniana de Psicoanálisis (ELP), on 6 May 2000. Organised into 9 communities composed of sections in different cities of Spain. Declared of public utility in 2019.
Creation of the Nueva Escuela Lacaniana, on 18 July 2000. It is present in 9 countries of Latin America: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, where it has 13 sections based in different cities.
Creation of the Italian School, the Scuola Lacaniana di Psicoanalisi (SLPCf) on 3 December 2002. Organised throughout Italy in city secretariats, it has its new headquarters in Milan since 2024.
Creation of the New Lacanian School on 16 July 2003. Present in 12 European countries, as well as Australia, Israel, Russia, the United States, Canada, Ukraine and Albania.
The EuroFederation of Psychoanalysis (EFP), composed of four European Schools (ECF, ELP, SLP, NLS), is the result of a mutation of the European School of Psychoanalysis, which became a Federation in 2008.
The change of statutes notably introduced the annual holding of the General Assembly.
Creation of the Federación Americana de Psicoanálisis de la Orientación Lacaniana (FAPOL) on 28 January 2012. This federation maintains the link between the three American Schools (EBP, EOL, NEL) recognised by the WAP.
On 16 October 2023, the WAP decides in an Extraordinary General Assembly to have the option of holding its General Assembly by videoconference.