[ad_1]
Historical research heads toward politicization
The speech received by ELTA states that LGGRTC employees are concerned about the underestimation of historical science by directing historical research in the direction of ideologization and politicization. It is noted that the management of the LGGRTC Center encourages the public to participate in the “defense of history” and the “memory wars”, in addition to making irresponsible and biased statements and interviews on behalf of the Center.
It is also emphasized that the staff and managers of the Genocide and Resistance Studies Department (GRTD) are invited to only part of the meetings, where strategic plans and other important issues of the center’s activities are discussed.
“Without the knowledge and approval of the historians, without the participation and information of the director and department heads of the GRTD, structural restructuring and changes of direction are planned. The LRS Freedom Fights and the State Historical Memory Commission are informed about the planned changes by bypassing the GRTD administration, which learns of such plans from public information sources, ”says the management.
Outraged by the appointment of V. Valiušaitis as Senior Advisor to the Director General
The application emphasizes that the appointment of Vidmantas Valiusaitis as Senior Advisor to the Director General by creating a new position and drafting new job descriptions specifically for this person, introducing a qualification requirement not related to the activities of the Center is also grounds of concern.
“This position has broad powers to consult and evaluate the work of history professionals, to form the centre’s research directorates, to control the work of the centre’s editorial department, which exceeds the competencies of department directors and heads of department, “says the address.
Due to criticism in the public sphere, a warning was issued for a serious violation of the Regulation
Researchers at the center are also concerned that the devaluation of professional competence, the tense emotional climate, and pressure from the center’s management continue to emerge or be under pressure to leave qualified and experienced professionals from history and other fields that have done important contributions to the LGGRTC.
“Due to the pressure and threats of official sanctions caused by the problems of the center, dr. Monika Kareniauskaitė, architect prof. Dr. Algis Vyšniūnas, for the professional opinion expressed in the media on the status of a resistance assigned to a person dr. Mingaile Jurkutė has been warned of a serious violation of the rules of procedure (therefore, the employees who signed this petition are concerned that constructive criticism may be equated with infidelity), ”the statement said.
It is alleged that the unfounded warning is confirmed by the fact that, following the employee’s comment, a new version of the LGGRTC’s internal regulations was drafted as a matter of urgency.
Staff argue that this situation is hampering the successful implementation of LGGRTC’s delegated functions and threatens to blur the line between professional experience and amateur initiatives, further strengthening political control, restricting scientific autonomy, and diminishing the quality of research. research, and destroying the Center’s prestige as a competent expert. national and international organization.
Suggestions made
Therefore, the application emphasizes the need to initiate the necessary administrative changes that return the scientific-expert weight to the institution. The researchers propose to form a working group of historians experts, which would include Lithuanian historians working both at the center and at other research centers, memory policy experts to update the research directions of the center, discuss problems and relevant methodological approaches. , create new and approve in progress. investigation programs.
It is also proposed to establish a Scientific Council within the framework of the LGGRTC, to which authorized scientists with knowledge in the field are invited to resume, and to resume the full Council meetings of the LGGRTC Center. It is also proposed to review the job description of the Senior Advisor to the General Director of the LGGRTC and to reassess the need and benefits of this position for the Center.
“If, however, such a position is necessary, we believe that it should be subject to qualification requirements such as professional competence and authority in the Center’s field of study, and that the powers granted should ensure the participation of department heads in the decisions regarding the activities of those departments, “he said.
The vice president of Seimas promises to explain the situation
The curator of the Seimas, the curator Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė, admits that the appeal received from the LGGRTC scientists is worrying and promises to explain the situation.
“At the Seimas, we have received a request from researchers from the Lithuanian Genocide and Resistance Research Center (LGGRTC). It is alarming. We also hear voices in public. In the near future, we will take steps to clarify the situation.” writes R. Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė on his Facebook account.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of ELTA.
[ad_2]
