AEGEE raises its voice in defence of academic freedom
European Students' Forum AEGEE condemns the attempts of
Belarusian authorities to close down the European Humanities University in
Minsk, Belarus.
The European
Students’ Forum ASEGEE was disturbed to learn that the Belarusian Ministry of
Education has requested the resignation of the director of the European
Humanities University, aiming at a complete closure of this Educational
Institution. We disapprove of any actions heading for curbing of the academic
autonomy and limiting the scope of academic freedom in
Europe.
We hope that the
Belarusian Government will respect the independent operation of the European
Humanities University and also uphold Belarus' international human rights
obligations, particularly in the area of academic freedom and educational
exchange.
The EHU was
founded in 1992 and became the first private institution in Belarus higher
education holding university status. Since its founding, it has been pursuing a
mission to integrate Belarus into the European and global educational space. The
EHU is known as an autonomic University, inviting foreign visiting professors
from Western countries to deliver lectures at EHU, conducting experimental
educational programs and has started to implement a new model of higher
education following the principles of the Bologna
Process.
The European
Humanities University was a hosting university for "Mediating EUrope"
conference, held on June 3-5 in Minsk, and organised by the International
Politics Working Group of AEGEE-Europe and AEGEE-Minsk. During the conference
the EU and Belarusian students came up with a number of ideas to foster
international cooperation and mobility within the area of higher
education.
We would like to
see students from Belarus facing the same opportunities as European Union
students have, promoting academic exchanges and the idea of cross-border
cooperation between the enlarged European Union and its neighbours. AEGEE-Minsk
has been organizing its activities for a couple years now in cooperation with
the European Humanities University.
Higher Education
should be free of pressure and control from the state authorities, but a free
scholarly thought should be supported, cherished and encouraged, for the benefit
and development of the society across the whole European continent. Higher
Education is, next to Peace and Stability, Active Citizenship and Cultural
Exchange, AEGEE’s main field of
action.
To see a letter from Ms Katsiaryna Radzko from the Public and International Relations Office at the European Humanities University, presenting the situation at the EHU, visit the following webpage:
http://www.karl.aegee.org/aeg-web.nsf/Full/Events--SituationattheEuropeanHumanitiesUniversityMinsk
AEGEE is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary and
voluntary student associations, operating without being linked to any political
party, promoting a unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, communication and
integration in academic environment, and at the same time striving to create an
open and tolerant society by involving students and young graduates in valuable
projects and discussions over the topics of importance for the communities they
live in. It is represented in 260 university cities, in 42 countries all around
Europe and has about 17000 members.
More information:
Ewa
Solarczyk
Vice-President / Director for Public Relations
European
Students' Forum - AEGEE
Rue Nestor de Tiere 15
1030 Bruxelles
Phone:
+32 2 245 23 00
Fax: +32 2 245 62 60
Web: www.aegee.org
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