J. Pótó, M. Tolnai, P. Zilahy (eds.): Understanding the Hungarian Academy of Sciences : a guide

Strategic Researches At The Hungarian Academy Of Sciences

UNDERSTANDING THE HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: A GUIDE improve the adaptability of the settlements, regions and communities. (For further detail see home page: www.rkk.hu) 5. FACTORS OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HUNGARY (Programme director: E. SZILVESZTER Vizi) This programme attempts to examine and analyse the underlying causes of the present crisis in the health-care system in Hungary, as well as other circumstances affecting the quality of life of the population. Research results achieved under this programme are expected to contribute to the formulation of an urgently needed national strategy which would be followed through several parliamentary cycles and would rely on proper information and education of the population. The ultimate goal is to reverse the current tendencies which are in sharp contrast with those prevailing in Western Europe. 6. TRANSPORTATION AND ITS TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE (Programme director: PÁL MICHELBERGER) In order that Hungary become a "gate" between the EU and Eastern Europe, it has to work out its particular tasks in the relevant fields of technology, economy, informatics, logistics, law and finances. It depends on the performance of these tasks whether or not Hungary will become a suitable partner, then a member of EU. A sound schedule of these tasks must also be prepared. To achieve all this, the programme is designed to examine and analyse the country's transportation system with all its implications and with its international connections. 7. NATIONAL CULTURE IN THE AGE OF INFORMATICS This programme consists of four subprogrammes: The present and future of the Hungarian language (Programme director: ZSIGMOND RLTOÓK, in 2000: GÉZA BALÁZS) The strategic aims of this programme are: to cast light upon the present state of the Hungarian language; to survey the tendencies prevailing in current usage; to study the existing and expected linguistic and social psychological problems that the "electronic revolution" and globalisation involve; to analyse the position of Hungarian as a minor language in view of the excessive spread of the world languages, especially English, in various walks of life. The image formed about Hungary and Hungarians at the turn of the millennium (Programme director: ELEMÉR HANKISS, in 2000: ATTILA PÓK) The objective of this programme is to examine the problems of how the self-image and the external image of Hungarians could be changed and made more positive. The self-image of the nation and society was rather negative over the past decades; the nation's self-esteem is low, its vision of the future reflects gloom and uncertainty. Both Hungary and its citizens tend to project a self-image that is much worse than the real situation and performance would justify. This programme deals only superficially with the historical, political, social and cultural reasons underlying the development of the given — negative — situation. Instead, it concentrates on the tasks and possible ways of altering this attitude. Minority conflicts, and an alternative for their settlement in East-Central Europe (Programme director: ZOLTÁN SZÁSZ) Under its Minority Studies Programme, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is conducting investigations concerning Hungarian minorities in neighbouring countries, ethnic minorities in Hungary and Roma (Gypsy) minorities in East-Central European countries. As part of this programme, a total of ten projects were organised and sponsored in 1998 by social science research institutes in Hungary and the neighbouring countries. In addition, the programme includes the organisation of lectures on and discussions of the emerging problems to assist young researchers, as well as the publication of a series of research reports. 54