International Call for an
"International Day of Action against the Commercialization of Education"
(5th November 2008)
Student
activists from various countries who are all struggling against tuition
fees, the increasing influence of profit-driven companies and
corporations on universities and the privatization of Education in
general launch this international Call. During the last year alone,
hundreds of thousands of students, teaching staff,
parents and workers struggled together across the world to defend free
public higher education for all. University buildings were occupied,
roads blocked and petitions signed.
A list of student and teacher protests against the commoditization of education (and the resulting tuition fees) for the year 2007 can be found here: http://fading-hope.blog-city.com/international_student_protests_2007.htm.
A similar list for 2008 can be viewed here: http://fading-hope.blog-city.com/students_protest_worldwide_against_commercialisation_bologn.htm
Currently
students in Chile, the Philippines, the U.S. of A., Spain, Germany,
Austria, Canada, New Zealand, France, England and other countries are
struggling against the commercialization of education.
Since 1999 most governments in Europe have been using the Bologna
Process to challenge the status of education as a public good. Consequently the Higher Education systems in Europe are getting more and more linked to private instead of public interests! Officially
the process is suppose to improve the international recognition of
degrees, increase the mobility of students and aims - just like every
country in this world does as well - for Europe to become the most
competitive economy on the world stage.
Usually
reforms are promoted by promising more "autonomy" for universities and
an increasing quality of education. But with more competition between
institutions a process of selection is encouraged.
The commercialization of
education results in universities being run like companies: students
are being reduced to customers (no more democratic participation, be it
by students or teaching and technical staff) and employees
will be exploited. With increasing competition between institutions the
creation of two-class education systems is being encouraged. One
class will consist of the "fortunate" who passed a money-driven
selection process or are "high potentials" for the labour market. The
majority of students will have no choice but to go to those
institutions that lose out in the competition with huge financial
problems. Why should the private sector finance an education system
that benefits the whole society anyway?
Education is too
important to be exposed to market forces and private actors. Education
should not be a commodity, but a right for all!
In support of free and emancipating public education
All over the world students are fighting to preserve or gain emancipating education, so that people are able
to consider their social environment critically. Of course governments
and economic actors have no interest in providing such education.
People who are able to critically reflect their environment are less
likely to be influenced and controlled. That's why it is up to the people to make sure that such a free and emancipating public education system is implemented. It is in our own interest as active citizens of the world!
We shouldn't tolerate that education systems are being reduced to companies "producing" human capital for the labour market. We are not "resources", but human beings and citizens! All
these are reasons why we reject the privatization and commodification
of education all over the world. It is not conformable with a truly
democratic society.
Education must be accessible to all, and not be tied to age or financial conditions. The
commercialization of education is part of an international process
shaped by "neo-liberal ideologies" (see WTO [GATS]; and the promoted
competition between geographic locations) and the thirst for profits. Long-time learning for life is better than simple professionalization for the labour market. With this Call we aim to defend this idea and encourage internationally coordinated protests!!
Tools of coordination
There is a group on facebook.com with more than 2,600 members from around the world: "International Students Movement for Free and Emancipating Education" (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24722765003)
We must get connected. I admit, that a network where every message sent
is traceable is not really the best platform. But there are simply so
many people on Facebook, that it is a good way to get people together
and spread awareness.
There is also a mailing list: https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/international_students_movement
With
this list students from various countries can inform other students
elsewhere about their struggle. Let students on other continents know
how student movements in your area are acting against this development.
A brand-new homepage (incl. a forum) has been launched recently, which
will also serve as a platform for discussions:
http://www.emancipating-education-for-all.org
International Day of Action on 5th November 2008
Various
provinces across Canada are organizing a "Day of Action against Tuition
Fees" on 5th November. Why not make it an "International Day of Action
against the Commercialization of Education"? We
are millions of activists around the world and potentially even more
and most societies are wealthier than ever before. Therefore free and
emancipating public education for all must not remain just a vision.
Too few people see that there are many other individuals struggling
against exactly the same forces. This day of action aims to spread
awareness and promote the global perspective of the struggle. With
this international Call the supporters suggest the following: Most of
you reading this are part of a student movement somewhere on this
planet. Get in touch with the other activists and discuss this Call. If
you decide that you want to be part of this, then get people organized
for a particular act of protest (what exactly you do in protest - be it
big or small - is completely up to you!) Take pictures and clips of the
event and send them to the mailing list (international_students_movement@lists.riseup.net)
with a short description of what happened during the protest. Ten days
later (15th Nov.) we can start creating a (music-)video and a little
booklet (or flyer) summarizing all the protests that took part on this day which can then be sent to all groups who are interested. Those can get it printed out and distribute, as well as forward it in their area!
Established students organizations could also publish press releases to get the message out to a broader public.
This international Day of Action will hopefully be only the beginning. When
we have a reliant infrastructure and sufficient people from various
parts of the world involved, we can plan further steps and actions!!
With
this international Call we invite all students and university staff
organizations to join us and to fight for truly free and emancipating
public education.
Please help to propagate this Call, talk to others about it and get involved.
Let's get organized and unite in our struggle for Free and Emancipating public Education.
get connected: 
