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Bridging cultures, promoting diversity: higher education in search of an equilibrium
EAIR 33rd Annual Forum 2011, Warsaw, Poland, 28-31 August 2011
Organised under honorary auspices of the Minister of Science and Higher Education

The 2011 EAIR Forum will discuss new trends and challenges faced by higher education in a changing, dynamic, multi-cultural environment undergoing simultaneous processes of globalisation, internationalisation and diversification. This "equilibrium" theme together with suitably designed tracks promises high-level academic discussion by HE prominent specialists and with internationally renowned keynote speakers.

Poland, where more than fifty percent of young people are studying and where the HE system has been undergoing continuous reforms for the last twenty years, is an appropriate place for such a discussion. It's not by chance that the Forum theme was chosen: Bridging cultures, promoting diversity: higher education in search of an equilibrium.

We might doubt whether we will ever find this equilibrium; but we are sure that with the help of many Forum participants from all over the world we will build many bridges, learn about many cultures, improve our respect for diversity and return home with the feeling: "another EAIR Forum where we met interesting people in the domains of research, policy and practice - it has been value for money".

And why Warsaw?

There are several good reasons to come here and join us - not just for the Forum. Warsaw School of Economics is the oldest Economics school in Poland and one of the best universities for its subject in Central Europe.
We can guarantee a friendly atmosphere as well as legendary Polish hospitality; the late Polish summer will afford a mild warm climate; and, of course, Warsaw itself boasts a dramatic history and a lively cultural life.

Warsaw is the city of Frederic Chopin's music: in fact he was born in a small village sixty kilometres away from Warsaw. You can discover interesting and beautiful places as well as Polish cuisine bridging Eastern and Western European traditions.

We will be happy to receive you in Warsaw for this important 2011 Forum, and will provide you with many attractive events - both academic and social - as well as the intellectual pleasure of engaging with higher education issues. And - as we already learned during the work in the Programme Committee - with a good sense of humour.

Therefore, we found a kind of sub-title very appropriate for the Forum at Warsaw School of Economics: a Forum with a smile. Come smile with us!

Janina Józwiak, Forum Chair
Jakub Brdulak, Forum Co-Chair