Quo vadis? Once upon a time, this question was posed to someone who was going to fulfil his mission – filled with suffering, tension and joy – and to open new perspectives of life. It can be posed to every individual, community, nation, and to all of humanity. It is a question about the meaning of history and the role of each participant in it.
This question takes on a special significance within the university community. As a guide to the minds of individuals and nations, the university possesses a universal dimension. It belongs to all of humanity. Where is it going and where is it leading us today?
Nevertheless, each university maintains its specific identity. Because it also belongs to the national community with its distinct, often challenging, and error-laden path. Where does a particular university go when its nation’s trajectory becomes unacceptable to it?
Some universities are forced to become universities in exile. What are their conditions and difficulties? What is their mission, meaning, and potential? How does a university manifest its belonging to all humanity within the confines of refuge?
We invite scholars and societal protagonists from various fields to speak and discuss the history, identity, mission and perspectives of the European Humanities University, as well as the role of the university in general in today’s Europe and the world, which is experiencing unprecedented tensions.
Confirmed keynote speakers include:
John Sallis, Frederick J. Adelmann Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and the author of numerous books, including The Verge of Philosophy and Shades—Of Painting at the Limit.
Jeffrey Andrew Barash, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Amiens, France.
Liudmila Ulyashyna, Chairperson of the Senate, Associate Professor, Academic Department of Social Sciences, EHU.
Gregory Prince — President Emeritus at Hampshire College and Senior Advisor at Pathways to College. Friends of EHU.
Anatoli Mikhailov, Founding Rector of EHU, Professor at the Academic Department of Humanities and Arts, EHU.
Guests of honour:
David L. Swartz, first US Ambassador to Belarus.
George Krol, US Ambassador to Belarus (2003-2006).
Dan E. Davidson, co-founder and president emeritus of American Councils for International Education.
Žygimantas Pavilionis, Chair of Committee on Foreign Affairs, Lithuanian Parliament.
Deividas Matulionis, Lithuanian politician and diplomat, has been the ambassador to NATO since 2020.
Topics to discuss
The project welcomes submissions (abstracts of 200-300 words) on the topics mentioned above.
Please send submissions electronically to Olga Polevikova, European Humanities University: quovadis.ehu@gmail.com
The deadline for submission is 2024 07 01
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