Introduction
This archive gives brief details of each of the World Productivity Congresses. (The WCPS is interested in any information you may have on any of the Congresses, especially for those where our own record in missing or inadequate.)
The forerunner of all subsequent Congresses was a first event held in April 1969 in London. This was the first time that a global gathering of productivity experts had been held. The theme was Work Study, Productivity and the World Standard of Living and keynote speakers included :
- Professor Alex W. Rathe, a past President of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers (representing the USA)
- Sir Walter Scott, probably the most distinguished name in management in the Southern Hemisphere (representing Australia)
- Dr. J.R. de Jong, the president of the European Work Study Federation, (representing Europe)
- General B. D. Kapur and Brigadier K. Pennathur (representing the Asian point of view).
Altogether 32 speakers from 12 different countries created an event that could be described as truly intercontinental and as the Congress was brought to a close by an address by Admiral of the Fleet, The Earl Mountbatten of Burma, it certainly proved to be a memorable occasion and the start of long line of influential Congresses.
In chronological order, latest first, the remaining Congresses can be accessed by the menu on the left. Each of these Congresses has resulted in a 'declaration' - a document summarising the overall mood, values, discussions and/or outcomes of the Congress. Where available, these declarations are included along with available details of the event.
