Lithuanian President outlines peace role of SSH

The Lithuanian President has opened a major conference on the important role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) research.

Speaking at the start of the ‘Horizons for Social Sciences and Humanities’ conference in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, President Dalia Grybauskaitė highlighted the role SSH plays in delivering knowledge and experience to address conflicts and achieve peace through negotiations, collaborative work and communication. She said the research sector also offers society competences of communication and collaboration, a broad cultural outlook, and a humanistic approach to the world.

Grybauskaitė stated: “Man and society is the source of all and everything. It is therefore SSH that allows us to better perceive ourselves and the surrounding environment, help find the answers to existential questions, as well as to understand our expectations and our own place in the world. Contribution by representatives of SSH is important to our wellbeing as their ideas and enthusiasm builds a road to a modern and strong Europe.”

An estimated 400 participants are attending the two-day event, including researchers, NGO representatives, international academic publishers and government institutions from EU member states. Discussion will be centred on promoting higher education in Europe and the role SSH should play in implementing Horizon 2020.

The conference is taking place as part of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.