Prague Declaration Passed by University Representatives












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            Prague, May 13 Representatives of three important university associations COIMBRA GROUP, U

            gathered in Carolinum, the headquarters of Charles University. The participants signed the
            Declaration highlighting the importance of education in the current world, and the necessi
            and honor humanistic and democratic ideas and principles.

            Another idea expressed by the Prague Declaration is that educated “citizens of the world” 
            to accept simple solutions, less prone to manipulation or misuse by various kinds of ideol
            universities must provide education to prepare the young generation to the fact that there

            solutions to complex problems.


            The representatives of international associatios, the rector of Charles University Tomáš Z
            minister Kateřina Valachová signed the Prague Declaration that, referring to the legacy of
            highlights the importance of education in the current world, as knowledge and education ar

            values of immense importance. Universities have always been the place of communication, fr
            free exchange of opinions. This is the role the universities keep at all times: to lead th
            tolerance, and cultivate it.


            “Since the beginning of their very existence, universities have always been important inst
            Europe. In the current globalized world, their role is by no means less important than bef

            to science and research, the universities must be able to educate the people capable of a 
            the world around, teach them to sort the overwhelming information and the ability to under
            It’s therefore good that a declaration has been passed, through which the participating un

            to the legacy of Charles IV, worthy even in the beginning of the 21st century,” said Charl
            rector Tomáš Zima.


            The current universities have to consider the fact that despite their alumni often reach t
            peak more than twenty years after the graduation, they still have to adapt to changing con
            society. This is a new task all universities in the current world have to cope with.


            The conference “Legacy of Charles IV., Education and Academic Freedoms, Innovation and Ope
            was started by the Charles University rector Tomáš Zima, EU Commissioner Věra Jourová, and

            Education, Youth and Sports Kateřina Valachová. The representatives of international assoc
            rectors of important universities discussed the issues of academic freedoms, importance of
            research, and the open society. Also presented were speeches on the role of universities i

            economy. The list of presenters included representatives of Charles University, universiti
            Luxembourg, Leipzig, North Carolina (U.S.), Helsinki, Leiden, Heidelberg, Pavia or Strasbo


            Prague Declaration [ URL "http://www.cuni.cz/UKEN-549.html"]

            Coimbra Group [ URL "http://www.coimbra-group.eu/"]


            Europaeum [ URL "http://www.europaeum.org/"]  
            UNICA (Institutional Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe) [ URL "http:

            network.eu"]