About the Institute

Institute Nova Revija for the Humanities (INR) was established in the year 2006 as a private non-profit research institution. The fundamental activities of the institute represent research in the field of interdisciplinary humanities as well as publication of books and journals. Since its establishment, the institute has published several scientific books in the Slovenian and other languages, including the important edition of The Slovenian Historical Atlas. It has also organized numerous international symposia and conferences in different fields of the humanities. The main research goals of the institute comprise historiography, philosophy, religiology, anthropology, ethnology, art and literary history, aesthetics, ethics, theory of culture, humanistic methodology, sociology, lexicography as well as critical theory of media, architecture, cognitive sciences, and ecology. The institute’s primary concerns include also, on the one hand, the introduction of undergraduate and graduate students into research and publishing activities, as well as, on the other hand, the application of humanistic knowledge within the academic education programs.

PREAMBLE

Slovenia is situated in a geostrategically highly important region, within the Central European space, on the northernmost coast of the Mediterranean Sea, at the center of the West and the East of Europe; it is the crossroads of European peoples of the Slavic, the Roman, the German, and the Finno-Ugric descent; although predominantly Catholic, it is deeply rooted in Protestantism, whilst constant cultural, political and economic contacts connected it also with the Orthodox world, the Islamic tradition (at least in the Balkans) did not, however, remain completely foreign. On the basis of its historical and contemporary experience, and as the northernmost Slavic country, Slovenia could play the important role of an intermediary between countries, cultures, religions, nations, and civilizations, especially in the South Eastern and Eastern Europe, as well as in the Mediterranean region.

The challenge of achieving this goal will not require only cutting-edge technological products, which Slovenia—in competition with bigger and technologically more experienced countries—will not be able to procure in the purpose, quantities, and qualities that could fulfill all expectations, but also different services, among which humanistic sciences can represent specific advantage, for instance, regarding destination tourism based on natural and cultural heritage.

MISSION

In accordance with contemporary methodological, theoretical, and applicational orientations, the INR intends to cultivate the humanities on the basis of interdisciplinary approaches towards society, culture, and environment. An important aspect of activities will be dedicated to discussions regarding cultural (and natural) heritage, including also the problematic of the productive role of tradition and cultural transmission in today’s world defined primarily by economic-political and techno-informational factors. Namely, historic circumstances and natural/geographical environment to the highest degree represent the world of the development of actual and future possibilities: studies regarding economic aspects of heritage and tradition, especially with regards to applications onto socio-economic processes through technology, ecology, cultural tourism, health care, and education, are, therefore, urgently topical, and need to be introduced into all stages of the education system, not according to the principle of the economy of quantity, but the principle of the economy of quality.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

> Interdisciplinary and special research in the fields of historiography, philosophy, religiology, culturology, anthropology, ethnology, history of art, aesthetics, architecture, literary history, cultural and natural heritage, lexicography, the idea of Europe, Slovene studies, as well as the humanistic viewpoints regarding the theory of science and technology, information and cognitive sciences, social and political sciences, history and theory of economy, law, media studies, ecology, pedagogic practice, and the theory of democracy.

> The establishment of research cooperation between humanistic institutions in Slovenia and worldwide.

> The execution of research programs and research projects in the field of interdisciplinary humanities.

> The promotion of the humanities in the Slovenian as well as international environments.

> The organization of scientific and expert conferences on humanistic, cultural, scientific, and social issues.

> The establishment of a humanistic digital archive.

> The integration of research and publication activities in the field of the humanities.

> The preparation of critical editions of fundamental publications in the field of the humanities.

> The initiation of undergraduate and graduate students into research and publication activities.

> The application of humanistic knowledge in the programs of higher education.

STRATEGIES

Strategic goals of the INR are:

> to become a recognized institution of excellence in the field of the humanities and social sciences not only within the Slovenian, but also within an international environment;

> to establish efficient forms of cooperation and collaboration with similar institutions around the world;

> to become an institution of reference for the transmission of humanistic knowledge and values into economy and academic education processes;

> to ensure publication cooperation in the field of the humanities, to promote the humanities, to develop research theories, methodologies, and empiric investigations in the field of the humanities and social sciences;

> to achieve appropriate and comparable financial as well as material conditions for research work.

VALUES

In order to achieve wider social and international recognition, the activities of the INR are founded upon the following fundamental values:

> quality and excellence of research;

> freedom of research and creativity as well as development of the civilization achievements of humanism;

> autonomy in relation to the state, political parties, corporations, and religious communities;

> cooperation within the national as well as the international academic and wider social environment;

> ethical and responsible attitude towards the world and the quality of sustainable development.

VISION

The INR wishes to become an excellent and internationally recognized research institution in the field of the humanities and social sciences that would productively contribute to the quality of life. As a research organization it would like to represent a forum for the transmission of research innovations into social, cultural, and economic spheres of life, founded upon the precepts of respectful intercultural dialogue and reception of initiatives as guidelines for further work.