Prague Declaration Passed by University Representatives

Prague, May 13 Representatives of three important university associations COIMBRA GROUP, UNICA a EUROPAEUM gathered in Carolinum, the headquarters of Charles University. The participants signed the Prague Declaration highlighting the importance of education in the current world, and the necessity to maintain and honor humanistic and democratic ideas and principles.


Another idea expressed by the Prague Declaration is that educated “citizens of the world” are less likely to accept simple solutions, less prone to manipulation or misuse by various kinds of ideology. Therefore, universities must provide education to prepare the young generation to the fact that there are no easy solutions to complex problems.


The representatives of international associatios, the rector of Charles University Tomáš Zima and the minister Kateřina Valachová signed the Prague Declaration that, referring to the legacy of Charles IV, highlights the importance of education in the current world, as knowledge and education are inalienable values of immense importance. Universities have always been the place of communication, free discussion and free exchange of opinions. This is the role the universities keep at all times: to lead the society towards tolerance, and cultivate it.


“Since the beginning of their very existence, universities have always been important institutions in Europe. In the current globalized world, their role is by no means less important than before. In addition to science and research, the universities must be able to educate the people capable of a critical view of the world around, teach them to sort the overwhelming information and the ability to understand the world. It’s therefore good that a declaration has been passed, through which the participating universities cling to the legacy of Charles IV, worthy even in the beginning of the 21st century,” said Charles University rector Tomáš Zima.


The current universities have to consider the fact that despite their alumni often reach their professional peak more than twenty years after the graduation, they still have to adapt to changing conditions in the 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 Open Society“ was started by the Charles University rector Tomáš Zima, EU Commissioner Věra Jourová, and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Kateřina Valachová. The representatives of international associations and rectors of important universities discussed the issues of academic freedoms, importance of science and research, and the open society. Also presented were speeches on the role of universities in international economy. The list of presenters included representatives of Charles University, universities in Leuven, Luxembourg, Leipzig, North Carolina (U.S.), Helsinki, Leiden, Heidelberg, Pavia or Strasbourg.


Prague Declaration


Coimbra Group


Europaeum  


UNICA (Institutional Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe)


Last change: May 13, 2016 11:23 
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