Thanks to all of you for engaging in the debate on modifying PRIOs name, and thanks to all who took part in last week’s IC, which ended on a decision for change. I have just examined business cards and other stationary with the new logo, and I am very happy when I see ‘Peace Research Institute Oslo’ in print. I am in no doubt that this was the right decision.
Yet, the concern expressed by several of you, that taking ‘International’ out of the name may be interpreted as a de-internationalization of PRIO, is noted. As a result, one suggestion has been to use our three core values (as currently displayed on our banners) and use them more frequently in various types of profiling material, stationary etc.
The proposed trinity used is: Independent, International, Interdisciplinary. This highlights the ‘International’ alongside other aspects that have been with PRIO since its very initiation. I see this as a good move in itself, since I like the idea of displaying the three core terms to mark our identity. I also think it is a good way of meeting the concern that some among our audience may misread the removal of ‘international’ from the name.
Note, though, that there is another change here as well, which is to replace ‘Multidisciplinary’ (as has been used in recent years) with ‘Interdisciplinary’. I think this makes a lot of sense. The assonance (all starting with vowels) looks better, and is easier to remember. More importantly, I do think ‘Interdisciplinary’ reflects well what PRIO is – a place where people with various disciplinary backgrounds interact (I do not think that cross-, trans- or post-disciplinary would be a true reflection of what we are, or what we should be).
Doing this does not, of course, require change in the statutes. But, before conveying to the designers that they should be looking at ways of integrating this in various templates they work on, I would like to hear your views. This would have to be within the end of this week, i.e. by Friday 26th lunchtime. The floor is yours!
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
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I think this is an excellent idea! I often have to explain to outsiders what kind of institution PRIO is, and these three words summarize those explanations. It would also be good to have creative ideas on how and where "Independent, International, Interdisciplinary" could be used to spread the message.The big change would not be replacing "multidisciplinary" with "interdisciplinary" (which I am very happy with), but starting to use the three words more actively in promoting PRIO's identity.
ReplyDeleteAnother good word is Innovative - but it may be one too many, always works better with three, and I am all in favor of Interdisciplinary.
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