It is with profound sadness, shock and outrage at the devastating terrorist attacks perpetrated in Paris almost one week ago. Our thoughts are with the many victims and their families and all those who have suffered.
Many students, teachers and researchers are among the Paris victims, and on behalf of the European university community EUA sends a message of solidarity and support to the French Conférence des Présidents d’Université (CPU) echoing their message “#Universitédebout – #NousSommesUnis.”
Openness, tolerance and inclusiveness are fundamental university values, and diversity of opinion and the free exchange of ideas are the basis of all academic activity. This is a crucial message, even in difficult times and in the face of violence and extremism. Today, Europe faces major challenges with political, economic and societal implications in the form of massive inward migration, a weakening of European solidarity and growing radicalisation and fanaticism.
We therefore urge universities to underline and communicate the core values of openness and tolerance and reinforce their culture of dialogue, reflection and exchange, both within the university community and beyond. This is the intention of our campaign ‘Universities for an Open World’.
EUA calls on its member institutions and all higher education institutions in Europe to support the ‘European Universities for an Open World’ initiative by including the campaign icon on their websites and by promoting the initiative on social media. More...