Fifty years ago, EATA was founded as a place where people from different countries, cultures and professional backgrounds could come together through a shared interest in Transactional Analysis.
By Sylvia Schachner
EATA President
Today, as we celebrate EATA’s 50th anniversary, I find myself reflecting not only on where we have come from, but also on what continues to connect us across generations.
When I became President, I had a vision. I wanted EATA to become more accessible, more visible and more connected. I wanted members to feel closer to EATA, but also closer to one another.
One thing I had realised during my years of involvement was that there can be a considerable difference between how EATA is perceived from the outside and how it is experienced from within. From the outside, people sometimes see structure, procedures and distance. From the inside, I have experienced something different: a welcoming, friendly and deeply connected community.
One of the most rewarding developments has been seeing new opportunities for connection emerge. Over recent years, webinars, online meetings and digital communication have made it possible for people to participate, contribute and connect in ways that were not available before. These developments have helped make EATA more accessible and have brought members, committees and Council closer together.
My presidency coincided with extraordinary circumstances. I was elected during an online Council in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Suddenly we had to find entirely new ways to continue our work, maintain quality and stay connected. Soon afterwards, Europe faced another challenge with the outbreak of war. These events tested not only our organisational structures but also our values.
Together we explored new ways of supporting one another, including online examinations, support networks and initiatives that continue to provide assistance to colleagues today. Looking back, I am proud of the speed, commitment and solidarity with which members across Europe responded.
Yet when I think about fifty years of EATA, it is not the challenges alone that come to mind.
What stands out most strongly is the atmosphere that exists whenever people meet. There is something special about the connections formed through EATA.
No matter how much time has passed, there is often an immediate sense of familiarity, friendship and shared purpose. We can discuss serious professional questions, share personal experiences and laugh together. For me, this spirit of connection is one of EATA’s greatest strengths.
It is also what I am most grateful for. Over many years and in many different roles, EATA has become an important part of my life. Through EATA I have widened my frame of reference far beyond what I imagined when I first started my TA training. I have built friendships and professional networks across Europe and met people from different countries, cultures, ages and professions. We are diverse in many ways, yet connected through shared values and a common commitment to learning and development.
As we celebrate fifty years of EATA, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to this community: members, volunteers, trainers, examiners, delegates, committee members and leaders across generations.
The story of EATA has always been a story of people. And thanks to all of you, that story continues.
Sylvia Schachner
EATA President
