The President of Iceland will provide a personal account of the opportunities and challenges of being a historian who becomes head of state. As academics and researchers, we strive for objectivity and detachment from the perceived interests of government and state. However, national representatives cannot enjoy that luxury or freedom. Is it possible to combine the two? And what about independence and interdependence in a globalized world? Can we be proud patriots and global citizens at the same time? And in the speaker’s particular case: Can one uphold the ideals of academic freedom and objectivity on the one hand, and the need for national unity, a spirit of optimism and defence of the interests of the state on the other hand?
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