Brief History

Former missionary Ruth van Reken gathers a group of expat friends around her kitchen table in Indiana to discuss the manuscript she has written with sociologist David Pollock, Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds. They speak about the needs of families crossing countries and cultures and the idea of a grassroots conference is born.

The first Families in Global Transition conference is held on May 16 at the Eli Lilly Corporate Center in Indianapolis. David Pollock is a featured speaker. Of the 85 attendees, over half travel from outside Indianapolis.

The conference moves to a small hotel in Indiana, attracting attendees from around North America and across expatriate sectors.

FIGT is formally recognized as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The conference moves to Texas, first Dallas and later Houston.

The TCK Research Network first meets during the annual FIGT conference.

The first FIGT Affiliate group is formed in Boston.

The TCK Research Network is renamed the FIGT Research Network (FRN).

The second FIGT Affiliate group is formed in Seoul, South Korea.

The first edition of FIGT Connections, the monthly FIGT newsletter, is sent out.

FIGT redrafts its bylaws to become a membership organization with regional affiliates. FIGT Affiliate groups are established in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and The Netherlands.

FIGT holds its annual conference in The Netherlands, the first time it has been held outside North America.

FIGT celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The FIGT conference is held in Bangkok, Thailand.

FIGT hosts its first online virtual conference.