AEGEE Press Release 2004-08-23 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 Email: [log in to unmask]