30 May 1994

Doc. 7092

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION

on the social sciences and the challenge of transition

presented by Mr ROSETA and others 1

      The Assembly,

1.       Having regard to the period of transition which the countries of central and eastern Europe are now undergoing and the social and economic difficulties involved in the process;

2.       Having regard to their lack of experience of the functioning of civil society, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy and the market economy;

3.       Considering that the changes will have implications for the way the scientific community thinks and works as it strives to adapt to the new situation regarding the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge;

4.       Convinced of the important role of the social sciences as a potential catalyst for social change,

5.       Recommends that the Committee of Ministers, in the context of the intergovernmental activities examine:

i.       how the social sciences could be used to meet the challenge of transition and, more particularly,

ii.       how the applied research system in this field could be restructured in order to:

a. create the necessary conditions for more objective analysis of social phenomena by improving, inter alia, the methods for establishing socio-economic indicators and conducting opinion polls;

b. help populations and governments to understand and interpret better social reality;

c. propose rational alternatives to the existing economic system, taking account of the specific situation in each country;

d. stimulate the establishment of a civic culture;

e. help develop and ensure assimilation of mechanisms guaranteeing democratic methods of government and absolute respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

Signed:

Roseta, Pozela, Lenzer, Probst, Mühlemann,

Hjelm-Wallen, Golu, Mocioi, Poças Santos, Bloetzer

1 ¹ 1. This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.