A special session of the 22nd International Political Science Association World Congress of Political Science in Madrid was held on July 11th to honour Serge Hurtig’s extraordinary contribution to the Association’s development. Serge’s connection with IPSA dates back to 1952, when he attended the Hague World Congress as assistant to then Secretary General Jean Meynaud. He was to become IPSA’s Secretary General from 1960 to 1967, and was Vice President of the Executive Committee between 1979 and 1985. Since 1963 he has been the editor of the International Political Science Abstracts, making him one of the world’s longest serving journal editors. In 2000 Serge was joined in the role by Paul Godt, but he remains a highly active co-editor, sorting and sifting through the tens of thousands of politics papers published worldwide each year.
During the session a series of warm and heartfelt tributes were paid to Serge by Paul Godt and no less than three IPSA Past-Presidents. There was also a humorous contribution from Bertrand Badie, a student of Serge’s at Sciences Po in May 1968 when the teaching of American political science to French students was a radical – and at time physically risky – business. Serge was presented with a specially-designed medal by IPSA Secretary-General Guy Lachapelle before wishing IPSA well for its next 60 years of development and growth.
SAGE is proud to be a supporter of IPSA and a supporter of Serge as well. A series of testimonials to Serge’s contribution to political science and IPSA can be read here: http://www.ipsa.org/history/serge_hurtig
Photo, L-R: Paul Godt, IPS Abstracts Editor; Guy Lachapelle, IPSA Secretary-General; Serge Hurtig; Max Kasse, IPSA Past President; Leonardo Morlino, current IPSA President; Lordes Sola, IPSA Past President; Bertrand Badie, IPSA-EC member and former student
