ARMENIAN COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
         A NEW INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
         The initiative to create a new institution called the Armenian Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS) is dedicated to strengthening the capacity, quality, range, reach and influence of the social sciences in the Armenia. The initiative was led by a number of Armenian scholars, who over two years undertook extensive preparatory work to determine the structure and focus, and ensure the feasibility and sustainability, of the proposed Council. In 1990s Armenian there were a Union of Armenian Social Scientists. During the 39th IIS World Congress of Sociology, which was held at Yerevan State University, Armenia at the June 2009 it was decided to rename the Union of Armenian Social Scientists to Armenian Council for the Social Sciences.
         The ACSS will be a non-profit, regional organization headquartered in Yerevan. It will consist of a General Assembly, including both individual and institutional members, an elected Board of Trustees and a Secretariat, headed by a Managing Director. Its approach and intellectual agenda will be committed to the principles of quality, inclusivity, flexibility and autonomy.
         The ACSS intends to launch a set of signature activities, including: research working groups; an electronic information platform; a bi-annual publication on the state of the Social Sciences in the region; a small research grants program; a bi-annual conference and policy.
         Armenia confronts numerous socio-economic, environmental, political, and security challenges in the beginning of 1990s. However the region is in lack of strong academic and research capacities that can analyze societal changes, nurture public debates and inform public policy. Increasingly it is recognized Armenian society has to address this "knowledge deficit" by strengthening the capacity, quality, range, and influence of research - and especially social research in the region.
         The problems of the social sciences equally epitomize shortcomings of entire educational systems in the region, and particularly deficiencies in institutions of higher learning where increasing enrolment has been at the price of quality. These developments have been accompanied by the diminishing role of academics in influencing public policy and public discussion, with mutual accusations that research is not policy relevant and that policy makers are not interested in research finding
         In this context, a collaborative initiative involving several institutions led to an extensive and iterative process of consultations and background research, culminating in the decision to establish the Armenian Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS).