The tradition of the Basque Studies Society [Eusko Ikaskuntza] of holding congresses institutionalises, in the course of each event, the moment for expressing the Society’s precursor mission by selecting a subject having a bearing on the future. This aspect and the criteria of topicality and broad treatment, too, have been present in previous congresses organised by the Basque Studies Society. This openness has been and continues to be important, and is designed to be consistent with the Society’s interdisciplinary nature as well as the diversity of the 15 scientific sections, foundations, institutions and groups it works with. This is linked to one of the aims of the congress which is to make participation possible.

This is a time and space event for exposition, debate and the gathering together of conclusions, and is designed to have a bearing on the broad range of tasks to be carried out in the time between one congress and the next. This is the framework in which the subject matters and the dynamics of the new proposal are set: Innovation for Sustainable Social Progress.

Although each congress has its own specificity, it is worth highlighting a number of starting points in the 17^th Congress: the previous congress on “Sustainable Development” (Desarrollo Sostenible); the existence of the pluridisciplinary project: “Genuine and Lasting Progress” (Progreso Genuino y Duradero); the holding of a seminar entitled “Kaleidoscope of Innovation for Sustainability” (Caleidoscopio de la innovación para la sostenibilidad) (Bilbao 2-4 December, 2008); Javier Retegui’s article of 2007 entitled “Basque Studies Society: collective vocation” (Eusko Ikaskuntza: vocación colectiva); and mainly the research that has been conducted: del Valle, Teresa and Pávez, Amaya: “Social Indicators for Evaluating Conditions for Progress” (Indicadores sociales para evaluar condiciones de progreso) RIEV (Revista Internacional de Estudios Vascos 53, 1; 2008; 45-81).

Underlying all these contributions has been the importance of the social aspect and the need for interdisciplinary reflection that could address questions that are on the social agenda and within the transformation of social and human sciences. The approach to the complexity of the social aspect defines the 17^th Congress and at the same time allows the conducting threads in its genealogy to be recognised.

When deciding on the venue, it is necessary to take into account also the fact that the Basque Studies Society is established in the different territories, and the institutional support provided in each place chosen. This is clear from the most recent ones; the 16^th Congress was held in Bilbao and the 15^th in Donostia-San Sebastian, so now it is the turn of Araba (Alava).

As regards languages, the official ones in the Basque Studies Society are taken: Basque, Spanish and French. English is also taken into consideration because of what it represents in the world of science and in current-day communication. In the various forms of participation the uses of one or other languages are specified by the people who make the proposal. There will be a simultaneous interpretation service for the plenary papers.

When choosing the people to sit on the Scientific Committee (Comité científico) various criteria have been borne in mind without any order of preference: language, territory, international sphere, egalitarian presence of men and women, generations, fields of specialisation, or spheres of work. When selecting the people to deliver the plenary papers, the criterion of scientific rigour has been combined with that of equality as well as active expressions of social progress.

Finally, it is worth drawing attention to the process adopted for the presentation of proposals. This consists of making them available to all the people and institutions interested, as long as they fit the aims and core themes of the congress. The Scientific Committee for its part has reinforced the aspects of the core themes which had not been considered and which seemed relevant, so opportune invitations have been extended for additional proposals to be developed.

Teresa del Valle
Chair of the XVII Congress and of the Scientific Committee