Higher education and research trade unions’ call to defend Europe’s Scientific, Humanities and Academic Potential
Published:
An Appeal from the European Higher Education and Research Unions to Defend Europe's Scientific, Humanities and Academic Potential (2014) was adopted by the ETUCE Committee on 13-14 October 2014. ETUCE member organisations with the membership from the higher education and research sector underlined that "higher education and research are under increasing threat because the European-level and national policies aim at focusing on the short-term objectives of research, particularly on innovation and technological transfer, as the only responses to the economic crisis."
Higher education and research trade unions call the European Union institutions and each European country to take action for:
- Solidarity within the European Union and throughout Europe that will enable the balanced development of Higher Education and Research ;
- An ambitious, multi-year recruitment plan for Higher Education and Research staff based on secure employment as a prerequisite of quality education;
- A significant increase in core funding for Research Institutions/Bodies and Higher Education Institutions;
- A policy for the development of all areas of research, guaranteeing diversity in subjects and in approaches to research , the respect of research methods, together with appropriate time frames and academic freedom for individuals and higher education and research institutions;
- A policy of eliminating inequality, in particular gender-related inequality;
- The restoration and development of a democratic approach and a team spirit within Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutions/Bodies.