Review
[1] I totally agree with the main conclusion of Algis Krupavičius that political science is one of the most dynamic academic subjects in Lithuania. Currently political science in Lithuania covers (1) all levels of study programs (including BA, MA, and PhD) and (2) serious research projects (including think-tank activity on the Kaliningrad Region and Belarus).
[2] I have no remarks as far as the ‘historical part’ of the paper (Political Studies and Research before 1989) is concerned. It reflects all main events and tendencies of the development of political science during the period of 1989 - 1992. I would only like to stress that the efforts of Lithuanian reformers (Rolandas Pavilionis, Lauras Bielinis, Povilas Gylys, Evaldas Nekrašas) to transform ideological academic subjects were first in the former Soviet Union. These attempts invoked the discussions on the structure and future development of the social sciences in the other former Soviet Union republics.
[3] Why 1992 but not 1990? As some institutional changes happened in this year. First of all a new institution - the Institute of International Relations and Political Science was established. The Institute was founded on 7 February 1992 as the Institute of International Relations and started its educational activity with a two-year diploma program in International relations for the students who simultaneously studied at the other faculties of Vilnius University. Egidijus Kūris was the first director of the IIRPS (till 1998). Starting with 1992 the development of Political Science in Lithuania has been directly tied with the activities of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University.
[4] Second, in the same year the program of political science was introduced in University of Klaipėda. It started as a full four-year BA program in Political Science.
[5] Third, in Lithuanian Secondary Schools the Political Science as a discipline was launched in the same year the first textbook by Gediminas Vitkus Introduction to Political Science was published (translation into Russian in 1993; polish version in 1994).
[6] Establishment of new study programs, publishing of the textbooks and dictionaries were the main priorities of this period. Three TEMPUS projects helped to elaborate the lecturers and the students exchange programs (Political Science in the Baltic States, JEP-4923-92 (1992-1993); Development of International Law/International Relations and Diplomacy Studies in Lithuania, JEP -06106-93 (1993-1994); European Studies MA program at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science, JEP 11289-96 (1996-1999).
[7] Starting from 1994 each year the IIRPS has organized annual conferences as well as published a series of Study materials and methodical publications.
[8] From 1996 the IIRPS was gradually introducing MA programmes in International Relations and Diplomacy, European Studies, Comparative Politics, Public Administration, European Public Administration, International Communication. All programmes of the Institute conform to the requirements of European standards. European Studies MA programme is prepared with some assistance of British, German, French, Dutch colleagues. The IIRPS has established the European Documentation Centre, the American Studies Centre, the Asian Studies Centre successfully working with the research projects in relevant areas.
[9] In 1996/1997 international recognition of Lithuanian Political Science started. International Political Science Association symposium in Vilnius (LPSA is a collective member of IPSA from 1994) was very important event in this sense. IPSA Symposium “The Challenge of Regime Transformation: new Politics in Central and Eastern Europe” was organised on 10-15 December 1996 in Vilnius. The organisers of the Symposium were the IIRPS and LPSA. The President of IPSA Jean Leca, Vice-president Hans-Dieter Klingemann, IPSA’s Secretary General John Coakley were among the participants. The Symposium gathered about 110 participants from 11 countries.
[10] The main research event in 1998 was the II Baltic-Nordic Conference Regionalism and Conflict Resolution. Keynote speech delivered Barry Buzan ‘Liberalism and New Security Agenda’. Among other participants were Pertti Joenniemi (Denmark), Peter Wallensteen (Sweden), Hakan Wiberg (Denmark), A. Glowacki (Poland) and others from 14 countries. The conference was organized by the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of the University of Vilnius, the University of Uppsala and the Lithuanian Political Science Association. During the two days of the conference 35 reports were delivered in which the issues of global and regional security were analyzed.
[11] International Summer School Consolidation of Party Systems in Central-East Europe was the main event in 2000. Summer School was held in 30 June - 22 July 2000. The project was initiated by Institute of International Relations and Political Science, University of Vilnius with the financial assistance Higher Educational Support Programme (HESP) and the Open Society Fund. About 30 participants from 13 Eastern European countries took part in Summer School.
[12] Publications in English are a component of internationalization as well. In 2000 the first volume of Lithuanian Political Science Yearbook was issued. The Lithuanian Political Science Yearbook is a continuous political science publication issued by the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, and the Lithuanian Political Science Association. It is, first of all, intended for the foreign readers who are interested in the achievements of the Lithuanian political science as well as in the present developments in the domestic and foreign policy of Lithuania.
[13] The first volume of the Lithuanian Political Science Yearbook 1999 was sent to the libraries of 50 major European and American universities, to the foreign diplomatic missions in Lithuania, and was met with great interest and attracted favorable comments from our foreign colleagues. Lithuanian Political Science Yearbook 2000 volume is based on the previously employed principles and covers the main areas of political science. Nevertheless, the focus of this Volume is on the 2000 Seimas elections.
[14] From 1998 the IIRPS together with Foreign Policy Research Centre publishes journal Lithuanian Foreign Policy Review(bi-annual, in English, 7 vol. till 2001).
[15] A new tendency in the study sphere. Programs for raising qualifications for military attaché, diplomatic reserve. Collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense.
[16] At the same time it is worth to mention the shift of priorities from studies to research, application of the research results to the academic programs. Currently the main trend of the development of political science in Lithuania is the activities of think-tank as well as high ‘public profile’.
[17] One of the successful international research projects was the project on the future of the Kaliningrad Region. The study “Impact Assessment of Lithuania’s Integration into the EU on Relations between Lithuania and Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation” was written by the team of international researches: Pertti Joenniemi, Raimundas Lopata, Vladas Sirutavičius, and Ramūnas Vipišauskas.
[18] In 1998 the IIRPS initiated a series of round tables on Kaliningrad issues. During the period of 1998 - 2000 three round table discussions were organized. The round tables provided a neutral forum for constructive discussions on closer co-operation, strategies for further development as well as current problems and challenges the Kaliningrad Region faces today. Participants in the round tables series were experts on the Baltic Sea Region from Lithuania, Russia, Poland as well as the EU and NATO member states.
[19] Continuing the activities contributing to the development of better understanding among the neighbouring countries the IIRPS initiates a series of round tables that aims at invoking constructive discussions on problems Belarus faces today as well as strategies for stable development of Belarus. First round table discussion is planned on 1-3 March 2002.
[20] Active participation of the IIRPS in television and radio broadcastings, columns in the main daily ‘Lietuvos Rytas’ proves the IIRPS being a real component of a developing civil society. The IIRPS is an initiator of a number of NGOs: Lithuanian Political Science Association, the Association of Academic Institutions and Non-governmental Organisations of the Republic of Lithuania and the Kaliningrad Region of the Russian Federation, European Union Studies Association. The IIRPS is a member of European Consortium for Political Research, European Political Science Network, the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Europe. As well, the IIRPS actively participates in the activities of the PfP (Partnership for Peace) Consortium (member of Atlantic-Eurasian Study Group on NATO and International Security), BaltSea Network, etc.
[21] At this stage the IIRPS is a strategic and leading academic and research institution in Lithuania. Having a reputation of a reliable institution the IIRPS is always on the agendas of foreign quests coming to Lithuania. His Royal Highness Prince Charles, former Deputy State Secretary of USA Mr. Strobe Talbott, former National Security Adviser to the President of the United States Prof. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Director of Communications Division at Radio Free Europe Paul A. Goble, President of the European Commission Mr. Romano Prodi, former Russian Prime Minister Yevgenij Primakov, H.E. President of Latvia Vaira Vyke-Freiberga, Ambassadors of USA, UK, Denmark, Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Russia are among the guests of Vilnius University and the IIRPS.
Vilnius, 2002
