Global Pathways
Encounter group

20th to 26th July 2026
Bucharest, Romania

"There is simply a freedom of expression - of feelings and thoughts - on any personally relevant issue"
Carl Rogers

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Welcome

Global Pathways is a face-to-face international Encounter group whose primary language is English, the event brings together people from diverse fields and walks of life who are committed to self and community development, professional growth, and creating spaces where they and others can genuinely be themselves. It draws on psychotherapy, psychology, history, philosophy, and mental health practice to explore the complexities of human development through a truly multidisciplinary lens. By convening voices from a wide range of backgrounds, the symposium invites critical reflection on how collaborative knowledge can advance our understanding of, and support for, human development in a rapidly changing world.

Activities

The event will blend keynotes presentations and practical activities such as encounter groups, large open groups, and small closed groups. Join us for an inspiring event that combines dynamic lecture-style presentations with lively hands-on experiences — ranging from thought-provoking, energizing activities in large groups and open sessions to intimate small group conversations.
English is the official and primary language of the event.
Person-centered approach

The person-centered approach is a theory developed by Carl Rogers that seeks to explain the functioning of the psyche and the development of personality. It assumes that the basic motivation of an organism is the tendency toward self-actualization, which drives the person to realize their own potential. For this to happen, the environment must provide three conditions: unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence.

Encounter group

The Encounter Group is a type of group specific to the person-centered approach, offering participants the opportunity to meet others on a deeper, more personal level. It also creates space for self-reflection and self-discovery. As Carl Rogers (1969) stated, “In such a group, the individual comes to know himself and each of the others more completely than is possible in usual social or work relationships.” The group may or may not be facilitated. When facilitation is present, facilitators aim to provide the basic conditions of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence. See below for more information on facilitation.

Large group

It is a group of people who meet for a determined period of time in a large room, where all participants are welcome. The large group is permeable, allowing participants to come and go as they feel. The group will be facilitated.

Facilitation

Is the activity of caring for a group by people who have one or more of the following characteristics: professionals trained in the person-centered approach, experienced in encounter groups or group activities, who can manage a group process and have a good mental and emotional state.

Small group

It is a small group of people who choose to stay together until the end of the event. They meet for a defined period each day in a private space. The group will be facilitated by two facilitators.

Program

Monday

18:00 - 19:00 Registration
19:00 - 20:00 Opening Keynote
20:00 - 21:30 Meet and greet

Tuesday

10:00 - 12:00 Large group
12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break
12:30 - 14:30 Small group
14:30 - 15:30 Lunch
15:30 - 16:30 Keynote
16:30 - 17:00 Break
17:00 - 19:00 Small group 

Wednesday

10:00 - 12:00 Large group
12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break
12:30 - 14:30 Small group
14:30 - 15:30 Lunch
15:30 - 16:30 Keynote
16:30 - 17:00 Break
17:00 - 19:00 Small group 

Thursday

10:00 - 12:00 Large group
12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break
12:30 - 14:30 Small group
14:30 - 15:30 Lunch
15:30 - 16:30 Keynote
16:30 - 17:00 Break
17:00 - 19:00 Small group 
20:00 - 23:00 Gala

Friday

10:00 - 12:00 Large group
12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break
12:30 - 14:30 Small group
14:30 - 15:30 Lunch
15:30 - 16:30 Keynote
16:30 - 17:00 Break
17:00 - 19:00 Small group 

Saturday

10:00 - 12:00 Large group
12:00 - 12:30 Coffee break
12:30 - 14:30 Small group
14:30 - 15:30 Lunch
15:30 - 16:30 Keynote
16:30 - 17:00 Break
17:00 - 19:00 Small group 

Sunday

10:00 - 12:00 Big group
Closing and saying Goodbye

Register

The event will opens the possibility for you to decide what suits your needs and experience. We strive to find a balance in providing a full experience to all participants.
Participate

- 7 days of meetings and networking with like-minded people
- 5 days of intensive work in small and large groups, including engaging keynotes
- Meet-and-greet with summer wine and snacks on Monday evening (included)
- 5 days with one coffee break and lunch included

The encounter group is a highly versatile experience that offers equal opportunities for professional and personal growth through the group process.
Participation fee: 220€

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Facilitate

We warmly invite professionals and individuals experienced with encounter groups to join us in creating a meaningful event and community where we can grow together—personally and professionally—while nurturing acceptance, openness, and empathy.

We deeply appreciate the value of collaboration and recognise that everyone’s contributions matter. And as a consequent we will reword your effort.

More details will be provided during the registration process.

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Organisers

Mobirise Website Builder
ICUB The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest

The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest („Institutul de Cercetare al Universității din București” – ICUB) is an innovative research structure of the University of Bucharest (UB). ICUB has four divisions that interact through common vision and approaches: Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities
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Mobirise Website Builder
University of Bucharest

With a history of over 160 years and a constantly confirmed prestige, the University of Bucharest is today a dynamic and inclusive academic milieu, student-centered and characterized by creativity, innovation and pragmatism. The University of Bucharest expresses a continuing concern for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and comes with a wide educational offer that includes many areas of study. Learn more

Mobirise Website Builder
Paul Diaconescu psychology private practice

Encounter enthusiast as a form of human development in personal life and professional activity. I think that the Encounter Group is very useful tool for human development and social cohesion. I am trained as a psychologist, sociologist, person-centred psychotherapist and also studied philosophy as an MA. I have been part of organising committees for various international events.
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Partners
https://www.pce-europe.org

Cross-Cultural Communication

The Cross-Cultural Communication International Bi-Lingual Workshop (CCC) in Hungary is an encounter community grounded in the Person-Centered Approach. Organized annually since 2009, its roots trace back to a landmark encounter event in 1984 attended by Carl Rogers. CCC offers experiential spaces for authentic dialogue, self-reflection, and meaningful human connection across cultures and backgrounds. Learn more
https://www.pce-europe.org

PCE Europe

PCE Europe is the umbrella organisation for for national organisations and individual practitioners, that  aims to promote personal development and the humanisation of interpersonal and social relationships in private and public life. Its purpose is to disseminate and promote the person-centred and experiential approaches in individual, societal and cultural life, especially in the areas of counselling and psychotherapy. PCE Europe activities are not profit-oriented, politically neutral, non- religious and non-denominational. Learn more
https://www.pce-europe.org

Centrul Encounter 

Centrul Encounter is an organization dedicated to personal and professional development through humanistic and relational approaches, working with both mental health professionals and people from other relational and educational fields. It offers training programs, workshops, structured learning settings and Encounter groups, supporting learning through relationship, presence, and reflective dialogue, and promotes ethical relational practices through national and international collaborations. Learn more

Location

The House of University of Bucharest
Address: Str. Dionisie Lupu, nr. 46, Sector 1, 010455, București 
The building, a historic monument, was erected based on the plans of the Dalmatian architect Luigi Lipizer around the year 1860. The architecture of the construction combines elements of romantic and neo-Gothic styles, highlighted especially by the crown composed of a series of battlements, as well as by the meticulously designed niches in the upper part of the façades, like stonemasonry lace, which gives the building a majestic air. In 1947, the University House was assigned for the use of teaching staff, for whom reading rooms, conference halls, a cinema, and a restaurant were arranged. The University House features a spacious courtyard, with a park with a fountain that offers pace  and relaxation. Since 2007, the University House has been owned by the University of Bucharest.