Joint Statement of the European University Alliance EULiST – European University on the Situation at Harvard University

As representatives of the Governing Board of the European University Alliance EULiST – European University, we express our concern regarding the current developments surrounding Harvard University. We stand in full support of Harvard’s governance in its efforts to defend the independence of academia and academic freedom in the face of political pressure linked to financial restrictions imposed by the federal government of the United States.

Universities, whether public or private, are essential bearers of democratic values, manifested above all in free thought, open inquiry, and autonomous governance. Critical dialogue and diversity of opinion are natural and necessary principles of academic life. We therefore view political interference in academia — including through economic constraints — as a violation of these foundational principles.

International cooperation is an essential functional principle of the university environment. Therefore, with this statement, we express our solidarity with the governance of Harvard University and its entire academic community in rejecting proposals whose adoption would violate the principles on which universities have historically been built.

On behalf of EULiST – European Universities and by decision of the Alliance Board, composed of the rectors and presidents of ten European universities, the Chair of the Management Board, and the Chair of the Student Board – LUH Hannover, TUW Vienna, STU Bratislava, BUT Brno, URJC Madrid, NTUA Athens, UnivAQ Aquila, IMT Paris, JU Jönköpping, LUT Lappeenranta-Lahti.

Ladislav Janíček, President