"There is no boycott by Italian universities in existing scientific relations with Israeli universities. No university has ever voted for a boycott of scientific collaboration, only some academic Senates for the suspension of individual tenders. We are and remain open to collaborating with all".
Thus the president of the Crui Giovanna Iannantuoni. "We do not need preventive actions or special measures on the part of the police, he added. The conference of rectors of Italian universities (Crui) began today in Rome. The meeting, already planned for some time, will almost certainly see the discussion of a document on university security developed a few weeks ago by a group of rectors after protests against collaboration agreements with Israeli universities.
"The mobilization of so many, starting with female and university students, must make us reflect. As with the protection of the environment, young people are also asking us to take on responsibilities against war. This request cannot remain unheard. asks us about the role that universities must have. A role that is not only that of preparing the workers of the future, but above all of training people with critical ability, depth of thought, vision, history, within the framework of the values consecrated in the our Constitution and on which our coexistence is based. In accordance with constitutional principles and international norms, which recognize the innate rights of human persons, which sanction the repudiation of war as a means of resolving international disputes and which promote cooperation between peoples, it seems necessary to reiterate that peace is a fundamental right of the person and of peoples, as is the connection 'between the universities of all countries above borders and above conflicts between states', as reiterated by the President Mattarella in recent days at the University of Trieste". This is what we read in the document on "Good practices, principles and proposals to address the issues of international and humanitarian crises in Italian universities" approved by the Crui Council and drawn up by the Rectors Montanari, Bonini, Lippiello and Tottoli.
"In the event of interruptions or phenomena of intolerance, decide to hold events in another way (for example online) but avoid canceling them: the agenda of the universities should not be decided by those who protest": this is one of the lines of the document approved today by Crui on safety in universities. The document asks us to respond to the protests "not by decreasing or eliminating opportunities for discussion, but on the contrary by proposing opportunities also open to citizens and dedicated to controversial topics, to be carried out in the most inclusive way", to "communicate clearly to the press and to the citizens the nature of the events and the cultural policy that supports them".
The rectors highlight, among others, these proposals and requests: first of all, we commit ourselves to promoting the use of scientific diplomacy as an instrument of peace, in full compliance with articles 11 and 33 of the Constitution and in this sense we address the issue of peaceful use of research results.
To this end, CRUI, INFN, CNR and other research bodies have started a common reflection on the use of research results so that they have a positive effect on the well-being of the person and for peaceful purposes; the Scholars at Risk projects and a national project to welcome researchers and students from countries affected by the crisis are supported; public meetings be organized to host representatives of humanitarian organizations and civil society operating in war zones so that they can talk about their experience and promote forms of support, including economic, for this humanitarian action; we invite the promotion of lines of research in universities for the non-violent transformation of conflicts; to organize national events on peace issues (including the Runipace national assembly and the European Peace Research Association conference); let's plan now that the University Day of 20 March 2025 "Universities Revealed" will also be dedicated to the themes of peace.
Rector of the University of L'Aquila: 'Protests must be tolerated'
"The student protests are more than legitimate. We are not for war but for peace and freedom of expression. In my university there are few protests but in general in universities there have always been mobilisations, they must be tolerated, managed, understood, evaluated. I am absolutely against the hard fist." Thus, arriving at the Crui headquarters, the rector of the University of L'Aquila Edoardo Alesse.
Rector of the Federico II University of Naples: 'When you enter a spiral of violence, dialogue becomes difficult'
"My solidarity with all the rectors who are experiencing a complicated moment today." This was said by the rector of the "Federico II" University of Naples, Matteo Lorito, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Feuromed work underway in Naples. "Violence must be avoided, when one enters a spiral of violence any form of dialogue becomes difficult", continued Lorito.
Rector of the University of Sannio: 'Right to protest'
"Young people have the right to protest but without exceeding the limits of legality. The path of dialogue must be pursued, certainly there have been excesses". Thus arriving at Crui Gerardo Canfora, rector of the University of Sannio.
Rector of Lumsa in Rome: 'We are for peace'
"We rectors are in favor of peace and hope that conflicts will be resolved in all contexts." This was said by the rector of Lumsa University, Francesco Bonini, upon arriving at Crui.
Rector of the University of Pisa: 'We don't want the militarization of universities'
"Without solidarity with our colleagues at La Sapienza, a reflection is needed on the part of everyone, me first and foremost, to understand whether we have done everything possible to defuse tensions and make students understand that there is a contradiction between the request for peace in the Middle East which I personally agree with and some of the acts we have witnessed. We certainly do not want the closure of universities or their militarization." Thus the rector of the University of Pisa Riccardo Zucchi arrived at the Crui headquarters.
Rector of the University of Catanzaro: 'It's a complicated moment'
"It's a tough, complicated time. The university should establish itself as a place of culture and freedom that should not be exploited. I fear there are infiltrations of people who have little to do with the student component." The rector of the University of Catanzaro, Giovanni Cuda, said this in front of the Crui headquarters.
Rector of the University of Foggia: 'Freedom to protest but without violence'
"There is a delicate situation in the universities and it is developing like a leopard. Freedom of expression is enshrined in the Constitution but we must prevent the protest from escalating into acts of violence." The rector of the University of Foggia, Lorenzo Lo Muzio, said this in front of the Crui headquarters.