The World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR) could be considered as a newcomer among scientific societies in the mental health field, because it was established in 1986 in France, when about 100 professionals from 35 countries met at its founding congress. That congress was preceded by an extensive international planning process, which began with the First World Congress on Rehabilitation for the Mentally Ill in Helsinki, in 1970. Subsequent meetings of key professionals and agency representatives from various countries, mainly supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Office, resulted in the formation, in 1980, of a promoting group which planned, through its international secretariat, the foundation of the WAPR. Therefore, close links with the mental health programme of the WHO have been maintained by the WAPR since its beginnings.