Ladies and Gentlemen On behalf of the Conference Organizing Committee, I am pleased to announce that the inaugural Congress of Psychology (the First ever National Congress of Psychology) in Kenya will be held alongside the 2nd East and Central African Regional Conference of Psychology (ECARCP 2015) under the auspices of the Psychological Society of Kenya (PSK) between Nov. 8th – Nov. 13th, 2015 in Nairobi.

The conference has been borne out of the realization that long lasting peace, harmonious coexistence and sustainable development in the era of globalization requires deliberate normative, institutional and attitudinal processes of constructing nationhood, national cohesion and integration; that are achievable through psychology. The objective is to facilitate and promote a global society whose values are harmonious and non-discriminatory for peaceful co-existence, integration and human development. To this end, the 2nd East and Central African Regional Conference of Psychology (ECARCP 2015) aims to provide a platform for academics, researchers, experts and higher education students to exchange their ideas, experience and research results in the fields of Psychology and Development, and to discuss the possible challenges faced. The theme of the 2015 Conference is "Psychology: The Key Driver in Human Development", which every human wants to enjoy. Human Development may be one of the elements of peaceful co-existence of persons of different ethnic, religious and racial communities, whereas peaceful co-existence of persons of different ethnic, religious and racial communities can promote societal development. Psychologists have studied the subjects scientifically for quite a long time and it is for this reason that we invite colleagues from around the world to enjoy exchanging knowledge and the latest research findings on the subjects. We also expect our international conference to play a pivotal role in national cohesion and integration, not only in Kenya, but the East and Central African Community. Psychological Society of Kenya (PSK) is a learned society and professional body; the authoritative and public voice for the discipline of psychology in the Republic of Kenya. It is the one and only national professional body of all Psychologists (or Mental Health Professionals) in Kenya committed to the advancement of psychology as a science, a profession and a means of promoting human development. Its vision is to be the umbrella national psychology association committed to the promotion of excellence and ethical practice in the science, education and practical applications of psychology to human development in our communities, country, regions, Africa and the world through excellence in education, training, research and practical applications of the Psychology disciplines. PSK was launched on Thursday, November 6th, 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya at a colourful ceremony presided over by the President of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS- the authoritative and public voice for the discipline of psychology in the world); President of the Pan-African Psychology Union (PAPU- the authoritative and public voice for the discipline of psychology in the African continent); The Cabinet Secretary for Health (CS, MOH) of the Republic of Kenya; and the Director of Mental Health of the Republic of Kenya. The launch coincided with the 125th Anniversary of the IUPsyS! The Society recognizes: (1) That Psychology has the potential to serve as a key driver in human development in our communities, countries, Africa and the World; (2) The critical role of Psychology in policy development, advocacy, continuing professional development, teaching, research, publication, outreach services and other forms of intervention; (3) The strength of Psychology as an agent for change, development and empowerment of individuals and communities; and (4) The value of mutual collaboration towards the achievement of these goals.

This is only the 2nd time that the ECARCP is being held, and the first time for us to host this prestigious conference in Kenya. The inaugural conference of psyhology in East Africa was hosted by the Uganda National Psychology Association in November 2013. The 2nd conference will be held at the world-class Hilton Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya in November, 2015. Kenya is one of the most dynamic countries in the world; it would be a great opportunity for both old comers as well as new comers to visit this rapidly developing country. We cordially invite you to join us and be part of history in the making as Kenyan Psychologists celebrate the inaugural Congress of Psychology (the 1st National Congress of Psychology - NCP2015) and the East and Central Africans; the 2nd East and Central African Regional Conference of Psychology (ECARCP2015). We are looking forward to seeing you in November in Enkare Nairobi, the place of cool waters. Come and see the wonderland that nature weaves!

Sincerely,

Dr. Mumah, S. C. J., PhD; ML; ARTS; SRA

PRESIDENT OF The 2nd East and Central African Regional Congress of Psychology (ECARCP2015) & The 1st National Congress of Psychology