Prof receives lifetime achievement award
By JESSICA DAUES
News Writer
Raimo Vayrynen, a senior fellow at the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies and professor of government and international relations, received the 1999 Urho Kekkonen Prize Oct. 18.
Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari presented the yearly international relations award to Vayrynen during a ceremony in Helsinki, Finland.
"The award itself is for lifetime achievement," said Robert Johansen, director of the Kroc Institute. "It encompasses achievements primarily in the field of national security questions. He is very well known throughout the world for his research and writing on the theoretical aspects of international relations."
Since earning his Ph.D. in 1973 from the University of Tampere, Vayrynen has made considerable contributions to Finland's foreign policy.
"While I was in Finland, I was a chair or member of several committees established by the foreign, education and defense ministries, and served in a number of diplomatic missions," said Vayrynen. He continues to work with several parliamentary and government committees in Finland.
Vayrynen has also made many contributions outside his native country. In addition to serving as a consultant for various foreign governments, Vayrynen is a permanent member of the Palme Commission.
"The Commission focused on disarmament and security issues, and developed a strategy for common international security," Vayrynen explained.
Since arriving at Notre Dame to serve as the director of the Kroc Institute in 1993, Vayrynen has helped the University become more involved in world politics. In 1997, he organized the Canadian-Notre Dame conference on globalization and global governance.
"[The conference] brought together leading Canadian scholars and the Kroc Institute fellows to explore the prospects for governing the increasingly globalized world," said Vayrynen.
This collaboration resulted in the recently published book, "Breaking Cycles of Violence: Conflict Prevention in Intrastate Crises."
Vayrynen served as director of the Institute through 1998.
The Urho Kekkonen Prize is a highly prestigious award given by the Kekkonen Memorial Foundation, established in 1970 in honor of Finland's former president, who served from 1951-1981.
All News Stories for Thursday, December 2, 1999
