Research Centers

I. Our Mission

In the face of the deepening crisis of public discourse and academic life, we must return to the classical idea of ​​University. An idea which is based on rationality and conditioned on unrestrained exchange of thought. The idea that taking up bold intellectual challenges and confronting contradictory positions is not only a right, but also a duty of everyone who contributes to and participates in the academic community.

Today, as the sense of order, purpose, and meaning is fading away, we must return to the fundamental points of reference – Truth, Good, and Beauty. Science, subjected to extreme relativism, seeks false support and easily turns to ideology.

Allan Bloom, writing about the crisis of the university in the book “The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today’s Students”, pointed out that true tyranny does not only mean restricting the freedom of speech by administrative or penal measures. True tyranny exists when it is possible to erase from people’s consciousness the notion that a different reality may exist.

Collegium Intermarium is established precisely to show that a different university is possible. It is to serve as a model and inspiration, to depressurize the system.

Traditionally the University holds its balance standing on two pillars, one being educational activity – which is, in its essence, the process of passing classical thought, the intellectual achievements of the greatest minds of our civilisation and the ability of reasoning to new adepts of the academic world – and the other being further development of our knowledge and understanding of the world. While the first purpose of the existence of Collegium is materialized by academic courses offered to students, the latter is the reason several innovatory Research Centers are to be launched as key building blocks of the Collegium Intermarium.

The first objective of the research taken up by the Centers will be filling in the numerous holes in the canvas of most influential, prominent studies of the last decades – holes which have emerged as a result of processes now easily observed in the rife phenomenon of “cancel culture”. For years many research topics have been avoided by scholars in fear of severe consequences which arise when canons of political correctness are disrupted. The Research Centers of Collegium Intermarium are to explore these neglected fields of study – the problem of freedom in economy, the implications of excessive production of regulations, the importance of marriage and correct functioning of the family structure for the individual, the society and the economy as a whole, to name a few – and incorporate them into academic research without prejudice.

II. What makes us unique?

At Collegium Intermarium, we are well aware that no ambitious enterprise could ever be established without adequate means, minds and resources. In order to prepare for a full-fledged launch of our Research Centres, we have gathered renowned specialists of many fields, including but not limited to: law, economy, sociology, political science, anthropology, demography and modern technologies. To achieve such broad cooperation, we have reached out not only to the best minds of the Central and Eastern Europe, but also to towering scientific figures of the West – including France, Great Britain, and, stretching beyond the Atlantic, Brazil and the United States.

By focusing on the abundant historical experience of the states and nations of the Intermarium region, we believe we are able to provide valuable insight into the modern state of affairs of the world and the social, political and economic processes which are currently unfolding, by contextualising them with regard to the reality of our geographical region. The nations and traditions of Central and Eastern Europe share a complicated but fascinating history, from which the multi-faceted identity of the region stems. Throughout the ages, we have experienced a wide range of political and philosophical visions being implemented – from medieval conceptions of European unity to the totalitarian dystopia of Soviet socialism – and in order to conceptualise what practical results certain ideas might bring – we do not have to rely only on pure theory, but can also draw conclusions from empirical practice.

We strive to achieve this vision of academic cooperation by employing modern, innovative and forward-thinking means and methods, which will be ensured by young and dynamic scholars and experts having rich practical experience, which will ensure a thriving and dynamic educational environment. We believe that the students brought together by the idea of the University embodied by Collegium Intermarium will be fully able not only to profit, but also to contribute to the intellectual legacy of our region, which will be a great source of our strength and potential.

III. How do we do it?

Because of their geographical and geopolitical localisation, the nations of the Intermarium Region have faced multiple challenges throughout history. Thrust between the political and cultural spheres of influence of the West and the East, they have often found themselves at the centre of significant, world-changing events. This dynamic, however, is not only a thing of the past, but also an important aspect of the present and the future reality of Central and Eastern Europe.

To address the challenges awaiting us in the 21^st century, we have to focus on efficient and coordinated realisation of our Mission. We are certain that we can achieve it by far-reaching international cooperation and exchange of ideas, which is made possible for us by a wide range of cordial contacts with friendly universities, organisations and individuals across the globe. We already have established relations with a comprehensive network of likeminded social organisations, including NGOs and think tanks determined to help restore the classical ideals of the University, Scholarship and intellectual development.

Our experts have a well-grounded reputation and are eagerly invited to the media, including social, Christian and governmental outlets, where their opinions constitute a respected and influential voice on public affairs. In order to ensure a lasting influence on scientific and intellectual life on a both European and global level, we plan to organise numerous, regular academic internships designated for talented scientists and public opinion leaders from abroad, who will partake in ambitious research projects undertaken by Collegium Intermarium.

We aim to widely promote the work of the Collegium Intermarium’s scholars and experts – thus our action plan includes a wide range of means, from publishing articles in most widely read scientific journals, to regular publishing of comprehensive reports under the Collegium’s own label, which naturally will be printed in English and the languages of Central Europe, to reaching out to the audience using all available means of communication and modern media, which is without doubt particularly important when targeting the youth.

III. Support us

The operating costs of each research center varies, but are not less than 80,000-120,000 dollars a year. These means cover among others the costs of high class scientists, academics, researchers who will be issuing at least two in-depth reports a year, publishing series of scientific articles, promote the researches in media and on dedicated scientific and press conferences. The cost of issuing each report is no less than 10,000 dollars, the cost of organizing bigger scientific conference often exceeds 20,000 dollars.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, it was possible to launch the first free university in the CEE region and its teaching activity. We believe that it will also be possible to finance research activity with no less success.

We offer various support options. First donors who will independently finance 10% of the annual operating costs of one center, will be guaranteed an opportunity to meet the research staff, as well as the possibility to give a name of their choice (their own or a distinguished figure) to a research center. It is also possible to offer targeted donations meant to entirely finance particular research, including a project proposed by the donor.

At the same time, we are aware that covering the total annual cost of work of high-quality specialists may be a joint effort of many donors. Therefore, we invite everyone with various financial possibilities to support us with any smaller amount of 100, 150, 300 or even 500 dollars. We will honor all donors with a mention during the annual gala, as well as membership in the Collegium Intermarium Science Patrons Club.