IPSA Statement on the Situation of the Central European University (CEU) in Hungary

The International Political Science Association (IPSA) is deeply concerned about the eventual consequences of the recent proposal by the Hungarian Government to amend the country’s Education Law such that Central European University (CEU) will not be able to continue its work in Hungary. The CEU is a highly respected institution that excels in many disciplines including Political Science.  We feel that its closing would be a significant loss for the international political science community as well as for the Hungarian Political Science Association and our Hungarian colleagues.

IPSA is dedicated to the pursuit of the academic study and teaching of political science and its various sub-disciplines. This endeavor which entails close cooperation among political scientists around the world including IPSA’s national member organizations, can only be conducted if the academic freedom of scholars and their institution are respected. We feel that the proposal of the Hungarian government constitutes an attempt to silence an institution that is committed to the preservation of academic freedoms, an institution where political science is studied and taught in a manner which is commended by colleagues from around the world. We consider the proposal to be in violation the academic freedom of our colleagues working at the CEU, and therefore strongly object to its adoption.

IPSA requests the Hungarian Government to reconsider its decision and withdraw the amendment to the country’s Education Law.

İlter Turan

President