Greta Thunberg statue creates a stir at UK university

The inauguration on Tuesday of a statue of the figure of the movement against global warming Greta Thunberg in a British university sparked a controversy about the funds that were devoted to him.

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Called "

", the bronze work, the first life-size statue of Greta Thunberg in the world to the knowledge of the University of Winchester (southern England), was produced by artist Christine Charlesworth .

"

" to pay tribute to the 18-year-old Swede, the establishment recognizes that it is "

" and welcomes "

," said in a statement his vice - Chancellor, Joy Carter.

While expressing admiration for Greta Thunberg, the students' union denounced in a statement the amount devoted to the statue, nearly 24,000 pounds sterling (28,000 euros), asking that the same amount be allocated to student support services.

"

" Megan Ball, president, told the BBC of the student union.

The university union denounced the "

" of the project, also criticizing the amount invested, which could have been used to avoid layoffs and budget cuts.

The vice-chancellor retorted that the statue was funded by funds that could only be spent on the building in front of which it stands, and that no funding was diverted from "

”.

Its presentation corresponds to the opening of a new flagship building of the university, "

" in the city, with rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic panels.

The statue is "

" of the COP 26 scheduled for November in Glasgow (Scotland), underlines the university.

In 2019, the establishment declared an ecological and climate emergency and set itself the goal of carbon neutrality by 2025.