Presidential Address Psychology's contribution to a better world: from knowledge to practice and policy

Telmo Mourinho Baptista, President, European Federation of Psychologists Associations, Brussels, Belgium;

 The world faces serious challenges and governments of the world, together at the United Nations, committed to the Sustainable Development Goals in September 2015, as a way to deal with the future.
These goals represent an ambitious plan for humanity until 2030 and cover 17 objectives to which psychology has a close relationship. It is extraordinary to note that, for the first time, mental health and well-being are recognised as relevant to the objectives, and are mentioned in objective 3.

To these challenges, psychology can contribute in a very decisive way. Psychology as a science and profession has attained a maturity that gives us very powerful knowledge about the behaviour of people, and the role that psychological factors have in many problems. It is time to use this knowledge to benefit more the citizens of the world.

We have reliable data, arising from within the different fields of psychology, that needs to be taken into account in our practices at various levels of intervention, from the individual to groups, communities and politics. The situation of mental health in the world presents an example of the need for a global response that will have many positive consequences for all citizens.

Other areas, such as those of chronic diseases, where lifestyle plays a substantial role, are also amenable to psychological interventions that help people attain a better quality of life. We need to exert more influence at the national, regional and global policies concerning health, education, organisations and other fields related to the Sustainable Development Goals.

We need to develop strategies to expedite the transformation of knowledge into practice, and also the adoption of policies informed by psychological knowledge. I will demonstrate how organisations like EFPA, together with other stakeholders, can contribute to this transformation, and to a better world. 