This text has been translated from Norwegian with the assistance of GPT UiO.
We have talked a great deal about academic freedom of expression, but we have not been good enough at explaining why it matters so much.The fact is that it concerns the role of knowledge itself in preserving free, open and democratic societies.
Knowledge knows no borders. The University of Oslo is part of the global community of knowledge. We have the opportunity to draw insight and understanding from around the world, and to contribute our own. That means knowledge is not merely a national asset but a global common resource.
When we conduct research, teach and communicate, we do not do so for our own sake. We do so to provide crucial knowledge for Norway’s transition and to offer understanding that can help solve some of the challenges facing the global community. For example, in health, climate and the environment, or emerging technologies.
But knowledge also plays a central role in strengthening society’s resilience against ignorance, disinformation and polarisation. Unfortunately, this has become more important in recent years.
A new world order is emerging. Democracies are in retreat while authoritarian regimes are on the rise. Alliances are being tested; perhaps historical ties and old friendships are not as solid as we have liked to believe. The world around us is marked by war, crisis and conflict. Democratic values, international cooperation and trust between institutions are under strain. Ignorance, disinformation and polarisation increasingly affect our society.
We watch with concern as knowledge itself — the open, testable, inquisitive kind of knowledge — is challenged. Science is coming under pressure and being politicised in parts of the world, and research is being treated with suspicion.
We are also seeing an increasing tendency for researchers and professionals to be subjected to harassment and abuse when they communicate knowledge. Not only in more polarised societies, but here in Norway as well.
That is unacceptable. It is dangerous. Universities stand on the front line of defence against anti?democratic developments. But we must all play our part in reversing the trend.
Because the fight for academic freedom is the fight for knowledge. Because academic freedom is essential to free, open and democratic societies. Because academic freedom is crucial if societal development is to be based on knowledge rather than on assertions.
Universities must educate professionally competent graduates, but most importantly: we must educate critical, reflective, thinking citizens. Democracy and knowledge are inextricably linked. In democracies there is room for open debate and contestation of ideas; people must be able to tolerate disagreement and have their positions and perspectives challenged.
Democracy needs free institutions and citizens who can think critically, understand complex relationships, resist simplistic solutions and distinguish fact from fiction. Not only to discover new knowledge and new solutions, but to defend a social order that has made Norway a good country in which to live.
We know we cannot take democratic values for granted. History has shown us how swiftly an open society can be narrowed. And we see worrying trends in many parts of the world.
The University of Oslo has both the responsibility and the capacity to contribute to democratic preparedness. That is why we will continue to stand up for academic freedom and free research. That is why we want to reach further and wider in explaining why this matters.
What happens when research becomes the enemy? What is happening in the world’s most important research nation? Or is the United States still that nation? What are the consequences for us? Could the same thing happen here? What should we do to prevent it?
Uncomfortable questions, but at least we live in a society where we can discuss such questions openly. Let us together fight to keep it that way.
-
This editorial was first published as an opinion piece in VG (in Norwegian)