APA adopts resolution prioritizing human rights and related initiatives

Abstract

The American Psychological Association (APA) on March 8 announced it has adopted a resolution pledging to integrate its long‐standing concerns for human rights and related initiatives into a framework that will underpin its decision‐making. “APA prioritizes human rights advocacy and the development of a consistent process to inform public policy and legal decision‐making for the protection of human rights,” the resolution says, in part. “[B]y adopting a human rights framework, APA will integrate its longstanding concerns for human welfare, public interest, and social justice within a broader international consensus‐building process, which will provide clearer guidance and structure for organizational decision‐making, including accountability, on issues related to societal good.” The measure was overwhelmingly adopted by the APA's governing Council of Representatives at its meeting Feb. 27, according to an APA news release. “Through this resolution, the association encourages further growth and development of human rights research in psychology, as well as the integration of human rights knowledge into the education and training of psychologists,” said APA President Jennifer F. Kelly, Ph.D. “We encourage psychologists to advocate for people at risk of human rights violations both domestically and globally.”