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CROATIA: Students begin second wave of occupations November 27, 2009 The title of this article “Free Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences” is the English translation of “Slobodni Filozofski”, the official webpage in Croatian, which can be found at www.slobodnifilozofski.com
On Monday, April 20th 2009, the independent student initiative for the right to free education started a peaceful occupation of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, Croatia. The occupation lasted for 35 five days, until May 24th, when the students voted to suspend the occupation.
On November 23, 2009, the students at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb have started another peaceful occupation of their faculty buildings.
The students who organized the occupations demand the right to free education for all and the elimination of all tuition fees, at all levels of higher education: undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate.
During the occupation, everyone was free to enter and leave the Faculty building, but regular classes were not held. Instead, students organized an alternative educational program, which consisted of lectures, public discussions, workshops, movie screenings and other happenings. Everyone was free to attend these happenings, whether they were students or not.
Every evening, students held an open assembly (plenum or plenary session) in which all students and citizens were allowed to participate. (After the occupation ended, the plenary sessions were held once a week, except for six weeks during summer break). At the plenary sessions they discussed the situation and decided whether they would continue with the occupation the next day. Everyone was free to attend the plenum, to participate in discussions and to vote, whether they were students or ordinary citizens. The issue of the right to free education is not one that concerns only the students, it is an issue of relevance for the future of the entire society, therefore every member of the society has the right to participate in decision making at the plenary sessions.
So far, we have received numerous letters of support from individuals and organizations, both at home and from abroad. Among those who have expressed support for our cause are Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek. Full list of who supports us can be accessed here.
 More info:On this page you will find information about the initiative for the right to free education, as well as translations of some of our important documents and many of our press releases into several languages. For more information about the reasons for the protest and why the students chose to carry it out in this manner, see frequently asked questions. Areas of Focus:Global Democracy (Liberty Tree), Tuition AbolitionUser CommentsNo Comments.Please login at the top of the page or register as a Democracy Square member if you would like to comment. |
Democratizing Education
Creative Copyright 2005
Creative Copyright 2005
A little revolution from time to time is a good thing.
~ Thomas Jefferson
~ Thomas Jefferson