ABSTRACT
This chapter reflects upon the history of early international group relations work by presenting some aspects of the first four international group relations symposia. It offers space for international co-operation, scientific and professional presentations, and experiential work in a frame where transference was to be minimized in favour of collegial work. The possibility to understand and manage inter-institutional transference, rivalry, and conflict was probably also on the hidden agenda. These events took place between 1988 and 1998. They were: The International Symposium in Oxford, The Temporary Learning System in Spa in Belgium, The International Group Relations and Scientific Conference in Lorne, Australia, and The International Group Relations Symposium in Maryland, USA. The Belgirate conferences with initially two, then three, organizations in the directorate- Tavistock, OFEK, and AKRI have, for a considerable time, managed to hold international events where many of the group relations organizations of today participate.
