The future development of the classification of mental disorders (ICD-11, DSM-V), is a challenge for joint international scientific activities, allowing contributions from various scienti-fic schools and language areas. The Global Scientific Partnership Coordination Group (GSP), led by Norman Sartorius, supports the WHO process of revising the International Classification of Diseases. From this expert network, both research findings and practical experiences from a range of countries with different languages shall give input to the revision process.

The respective scientific group assembling experts from German speaking countries is currently developing. Past and present German language psychiatry has in many ways influenced psychiatric diagnosis and classification. The group, building on this history, shall be led by a steering committee of experts from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It will consist of sub-groups on various topics including experts with different expertise from German-speaking countries and those familiar with German psychiatry working in other countries. The topics covered include:

1. • Classificatory Concepts

2. • Diagnostic Methodology

3. • Input from Sub- and Neighbouring Disciplines

4. • Areas of Clinical Application/Setting Specific Needs

5. • Spectrum of Disorders

6. • Implementation/Training

The German members will also be members of a Task Force on Diagnosis and Classification of the German Society of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Nervous Diseases to contribute country-specific knowledge to the GSP-related German speaking group. Each sub-group of the latter will develop a working plan in close relationship with the steering group and the GSP.

The presentation will give examples and details of the group work achieved so far.