Scholars at Risk- Norway Section
Scholars at Risk—Norway Section was launched on May 23, 2011 at Oslo University College (HiO). The Norwegian Section represents Norway in the wider international Scholars at Risk Network and organizes and coordinates Scholars at Risk activities in Norway. “Having several members in Norway creates a forum for discussion for all universities involved,” says Rector Petter Ottersen of University of Oslo, “When we join forces, we can achieve more.”
The launch of Scholars at Risk—Norway Section represents the culmination of several years of partnership between Norwegian higher education institutions and the wider, international Scholars at Risk Network. SAR 'sections' or 'partner networks' are a means of engaging national institutions in that wider effort, and of enhancing organization and coordination of local activities in support of academic freedom, university autonomy and related values.
Rector Sissel Østberg of Oslo University College (HiO) opened official proceedings. Rector Østberg welcomed participants, described the goals of the Norwegian network and reiterated the importance of defending academic freedom and higher education values in Norway and around the world. SAR’s Executive Director, Robert Quinn offered remarks on the “Courage to Think”, the theme of SAR’s 10th anniversary year. Mr. Quinn spoke about the role that each of us has in defending the space in society for creativity, inquiry, and individual and shared expression even, and perhaps especially, when doing so carries risks, from ridicule and failure to imprisonment and even death: “Exercising this role takes courage, and SAR seeks to celebrate those who have shown it”. SAR scholar Peter Magaya (pseudonym) from Zimbabwe then spoke about the threats he had faced and the ways in which the Scholars at Risk network was able to assist. During his talk, Dr. Mageru emphasized that the places where scholars are most at risk are all too often the places where scholars are most needed.
Kirsten Hov from the Norwegian Students' and Academics' International Assistance Fund (SAIH) moderated a ‘Conversation on Academic Freedom’ featuring Pro-Rector Inga Bostad and Professor Bernt Hagtvet of the University of Oslo. The conversation provided interesting Norwegian perspectives on academic freedom and related values, and how that experience is shaped by Norway’s own unique history. The discussion then connected this historical experience to contemporary challenges to academic freedom and higher education values in Norway and around the world, with reflections on the importance of promoting higher education values and why academic freedom matters.
Following a Q&A session with participants, the Scholars at Risk—Norway Section was officially launched by Rector Torunn Lauvdal of the University of Agder. To mark the occasion, Rector Lauvdal called key representatives from the new Norwegian section to participate in a signing ceremony and a series of presentations. The event closed with a renewed commitment by Norwegian members to join in solidarity with Scholars at Risk members worldwide to protect endangered scholars and promote academic freedom.
In joining Scholars at Risk, Norwegian higher education institutions, academic leadership and staff are sending a strong message of solidarity with scholars and institutions in situations where academic freedom is restricted and research, publication, teaching and learning are repressed. We invite those interested in joining the Norwegian network to contact us at scholarsatrisk@nyu.edu.
Current members of the Norwegian network include:
- BI Norwegian School of Management
- MF Norwegian School of Theology
- Molde University College
- Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions (UHR)
- Norwegian School of Information Technology
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH)
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU Trondheim
- Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA)
- School of Mission and Theology
- Sør-Trøndelag University College
- University of Agder
- University of Bergen
- University of Oslo
- University of Stavanger
View launch program in English and Norwegian.
To view an invitation to your institution to join the SAR, Norway Section, click here.
Media
Read a press release on the new SAR, Norway Section.
Read a recent Scholars at Risk ‘Share your Stories’ feature on the University of Oslo.
Hear a radio interview on the "Her og Nå" program with the Vice-Rector at the University of Oslo and Senior Adviser at University of Agder.
Untitled from Scholars at Risk on Vimeo.
* Video Credit: Magnhild Bøgseth and Linda Melling Øiehaug
** Photo Credit: Ketil Blom