L'ASS0CIATION INTERNATIONALE PIKLER (LÓCZY) (1997 - 2012): The first international Pikler-Lóczy association
In 1997, the first international association, AIP(L), was founded, with the main objective of providing financial support to the Pikler Institute in Budapest. This was one of those moments in time when the existence of the Institute was threatened, and the first concerns of the newly created association were to make the Hungarian authorities aware of the international importance of the work that was being done on Lóczy Lajos Street and to raise funds to offer a significant financial contribution that would be likely to make it possible to maintain it. Both approaches were successful, and we must acknowledge Istvan and Agnès Szanto for their commitment and talent, thanks to which the Pikler Institute has been able to continue its activity.
The Hungarian State changed the legal status of the Institute to a Foundation. Subsequently the State's financial participation has fallen sharply, forcing the Institute to seek resources through its activities, particularly training activities, and giving the AIP(L)'s fundraising even more significance. This has never been an easy task. The Foundation's Educational Board, on which AIP(L) had two representatives, managed a financial situation that was still very precarious.
The Board of Directors of the AIP(L), composed of representatives from different countries, has endeavoured to find members and donors, and to inform each other of their results and the life of the association in general. France, where the association had its headquarters, has always provided the largest number of members. But Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and the German-speaking countries have also contributed to the effort.
The commitment of all parties, and especially of the General Secretary, I. Szanto, made it possible during the first years to achieve the goal of raising substantial sums for the Pikler Institute. Gradually, however, it became more difficult to find donors. The momentum that had developed to "save the Institute" had waned, and giving regularly each year is a different, less tangible approach for some. The same phenomenon affected the members; a number have become disinterested or discouraged over the years. As far as the Board of Directors is concerned, the desire to see a new generation come forward has never been realized.
But the very existence of the AIP(L) had revealed needs: circulation of information and written or filmed documentation, the organization of meetings, reflection on training, etc. The limitations of the Board of Directors have made it possible to respond only partially, through the website for example.
Since 2009, the IAFF Board has been concerned with the continuation and expansion of international activity. An initial survey, in the form of questionnaires to the various Pikler associations around the world, showed that there was a real interest in contact, information and meetings between the different countries, but no initiatives taken in this direction, nor any perceptible dynamic. In order to continue and deepen the process, the Board then gave Catherine Durand a mandate to contact the Pikler associations and groups and, if possible, meet with them.
From these contacts and the findings that emerged from them, the certainty arose that it was necessary to "do something", that is, to make possible the creation of a new international association. In addition to the possibilities of informing each other about various activities, publications, documents that are emerging in the different countries, of encouraging meetings and exchanges, it seemed important that some form of gathering existed around Piklerian ideas. Indeed, when ideas spread, circulate, are studied, commented on and put into practice throughout the world, there is a great risk that they will evolve in different directions, that they will be hardened and transformed into dogma, that they will be weakened, biased or even distorted. The Pikler Institute has been and remains the place of reference, but, fortunately, Piklerian ideas are widely disseminated and have various applications. It is important that those who convey these ideas find an organisation where discussion, confrontation and deepening are possible.
To meet this need for a new international organisation, a first meeting took place
in Budapest in November 2011, bringing together about thirty people from 11 different countries. This resulted in working groups on topics of common interest and a provisional committee, the latter being responsible for preparing the formation of a new association. A new meeting, in the autumn of 2012, saw its formal creation under the name "Pikler International".
The International Pikler Association (Lóczy), AIP(L), which has ceased its activities, has thus not left a void, but has contributed to the birth of a new structure with a broader base, with broader objectives, better able to meet the needs of those who are concerned with the proper transmission of Piklerian ideas and the rigor of their application.
Raymonde CaffariI - AFF Council Member(L)