A survey of the scientific production (e.g. international database, COBISS) shows the fields and topics researched by the INV/IES within the framework of its program group to be up-to-date and relevant for ethnic studies in Europe and the world in general. This assessment is valid so for traditional as for more recent fields and topics the Institute has been dealing with more intensively during the last decade. Amongst the fields and topics, the study of the following can be listed: ethnicity, nationalism and boundary issues; interethnic and interminority, as well as majority/minority relations; identity and appurtenance declaring; xenophobia, racism and cultural repertory exclusivisms; regulation and managing of interethnic relations; prevention, managing and/or resolution of conflicts; status and protection of ethnic minorities in the context of human rights; political and social participation of minorities; minority protection; ethnic and minority policies together with their provisions; ideational and ideological apparatuses and concepts of e.g. multiculturalism or interculturalism; language competences and repertories, as well as their normative codings (multilingualism, bilingualism, etc.); etc. With their scientific production and its multi- and interdisciplinary approach, as well as with their publicity and publishing activities, the INV/IES and its program group represent a factor in the production of knowledge on the ethnic/ethnicity, and relevantly participate in the progress of the ethnic studies field. We hereby emphasize so the significance of the theoretic production, the creation of the fund of relevant research data and materials, and the formation of databases which all take place within the INV/IES and its program group, as the organizational/technical service and the necessary infrastructure (the Specialized information and documentation centre with its specialized library) provided by the INV/IES. The International centre for interethnic relations and minorities in South Eastern Europe is important for the development of scientific and research cooperation in this part of Europe, and with institutions and researchers from other parts of the world who study this region. The INV/IES with its research program and activities of its fellow workers (transfer of knowledge into educational process; activist and support work; public appearances and publishing also outside of exclusively expert forums) is part of the field of scientific and public production of knowledge on the ethnic. Slovenia is internationally interesting as a specific study of the case, which is confirmed by publications and professional commitments of fellow workers. Similar is true of specific fields, such as: the context of incorporation of new states into the EU and European integration processes; studies of postsocialism and postcommunism; regulation of minority status and protection; language competences in ethnically and linguistically mixed territories; regulation and managing of relations and development in postconflict societies; etc. Due to traditional as well as recent links, the existing knowledge and relevant documentation, Slovenia is interesting as a starting point for the study of interethnic relations and conflicts in South Eastern Europe, where the INV/IES coordinates internationally influential research efforts.