Prof. Nick Bouras commented on the developments of the Section. These include two books: "Mental Health in Mental Retardation: The ABC for mental health, primary care and other professionals" (Ed: N. Bouras, G. Holt, K. Day and A. Dosen) which can be found at the WPA website, and "Autism and Related Disorders: The Basic Handbook for mental health, primary care and other professionals" (Ed: G. Holt and N. Bouras). The latter featured in the last WPA Sections' Newsletter. Activities at the Yokohama Congress included three symposia and a course. The symposium on Autism was particularly well attended.

Prof. Bouras asked for suggestions of new topics for future WPA documents. These included Child Psychiatry and MR (a joint project was suggested between both WPA sections); including transition from children's to adult services, and family burden.

Dr. Takahashi offered to cooperate in the development of a new document. Prof. Bouras thanked him for his contribution in the creation and development of the Section. He also paid tribute to the seminal role played by Frank Menolascino.

The possibility of pursuing the accreditaion of a WPA educational program was discussed. Both Prof. Bouras and Prof Salvador-Carulla commented on the advantages and difficulties of such an initiative (an example can be found under WPA Education).

Prof. Bouras said that after two terms he wanted to resign as Chairman and proposed a new committee: Luis Salvador Carulla Spain, (Chair), Geraldine Holt UK (Co-Chair), Ramon Novell, Spain (Secretary). The Section members approved the proposal. Then suggestions were made with regard to the Section's associate executive members, who were agreed and incorporated to the committee. Two new section members were admitted.

New Committee of the WPA Mental Retardation Section:

• Chair:
  Prof. Luis Salvador-Carulla. Profesor of Psychiatry
  University of Cadiz (Spain)
  Plaza San Marcos 6, Jerez 11403 (Spain)
  Tel +34-956-311587
  Fax +34-956-331759
  E-mail: l.salvador@telefonica.net
• Co-Chair:
  Dr. Geraldine Holt
  Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disabilities, South London & Maudsley NHS Trust Guy's Hospital
  London SE1 3RR - UK
  Tel:+44-20-7955 4792
  Fax:+44-20-7955 4232
  email: Geraldine.holt@kcl.ac.uk
  Webpage: http://www.estiacentre.org
• Secretary:
  Dr. Ramon Novell
  Vice-President of the Spanish Association for Scientific Research on Mental Retardation (AEECRM) Fundacio Ave Maria, Sitges (Barcelona, Spain)
  Tel: +34- 938948646
  Mobile: +34- 607181474
  E-mail: 22245rna@comb.es
• Associate Executive Members:
  
  • Dr. Akihito Takahashi
    11-302, 7-1 Namiki, Tokorozawa
    Saitama 359-004
    E-mail: a-takahashi@tokai.org.jp
  • Henry Wai Ming Kwok MB, BS, MRC Psych, FHKC Psych, FHKAM (psychiatry)
    Senior Medical Officer Kwai Chung Hospital
    3-15 Kwai Chung Hospital Rd
    New Territories, Hong Kong
    Tel 29598111
    Fax: 27457610
    e.mail: hwmkwok@hotmail.com
  • Dr. Z. Ahmed
    Welsh Center for Learning Disabilities
    Treseder Way (Caeran)
    Cardiff CF14 3Nu. UK
    e. mail: zed.ahmed@bromor-tr.wales.nhs.uk
  • Dott. Marco Bertelli
    Italian Society Of Mental Retardation
    Via de Rusciano 3 Firenze 50126
    e.mail: marcobertelli@inwind.it
  • Professor Nick Bouras
    Guy's, King's & St Thomas' Medical School
    York Clinic
    Guy's Hospital
    London SE1 3RR - UK
    Tel:+44-20-7955 4792
    Fax:+44-20-7955 4232
    email: nick.bouras@kcl.ac.uk
    Webpage: http://www.estiacentre.org
• New section members:
  • Dr Samuel Maling
    Butabika Hospital
    PO Box 7017
    Kampala Uganda
    E-mail: sammaling@yahoo.com
  • Dr MO El Tahir
    Specialist registrar
    Learning Disability Directorate
    Treseder Way ELY
    Cardiff CF 5SWF
    E.mail: mohamedomer@btinternet.com

This proposal was presented at the section's meeting (Dr. George Ahmed) by Dr Henry Kwok.