The following is a message of solidarity for the students of Quebec signed by nearly 150 Greek academics. They provided French and English versions of their message of support (both listed below), along with a list of signatories.
Message de solidarité de la communauté académique grecque aux étudiants en lutte au Québec
Nous, enseignants aux universités grecques, expriment notre solidarité à la mobilisation extraordinaire des étudiants au Québec : la grève étudiante la plus longue et la plus massive dans l’ histoire de l’Amérique du Nord qui est en train de devenir une des campagnes les plus importantes dans le monde contre l’austérité.
La communauté académique en Grèce suit avec indignation, mais aussi avec espoir, la lutte des étudiants afin de bloquer l’augmentation des droits de scolarité universitaire et résister à l’attaque néolibérale sans précédent aux charges sociales.
Nous suivons avec indignation, parce que la répression draconniene exercée par le gouvernement a menacé non seulement la libre expression et les droits démocratiques, mais aussi la vie même des étudiants en lutte, ainsi que celle des enseignants, du personnel administratif des universités et d’autres citoyens solidaires. Les lois qui limitent fermement le droit de manifester menacent la démocratie et tentent de bâillonner toute voix qui résiste aux réformes néolibérales de l’éducation. Quand la démocratie est en jeu, la désobéissance devient une obligation.
Et nous suivons avec espoir, parce que la voix du mouvement étudiant de Québec donne au monde entier des leçons précieuses de combativité et de persévérance contre la marchandisation de l’éducation et pour la défense d’une éducation publique et démocratique.
Dans cette lutte, nous sommes nombreux. Notre mobilisation est trop forte pour contenir. Du Québec à Londres et à Rome, de Santiago à Vienne et à Athènes, la communauté académique mène le même combat. En Grèce, nous avons déjà réussi en 2006 à bloquer un amendement da la Constitution qui visait à abolir le caractère exclusivement public des universités. Ensuite, en 2011-2012, nous avons réussi à délégitimer et rendre inactive une loi qui visait une réforme néolibérale de l’éducation supérieure. Nous sommes nombreux et dès lors optimistes et confiants. Tous ensemble continuons le combat pour que l’éducation redevienne un bien public dans le monde entier.
Nous, les universitaires Grecs, déclarons notre solidarité à vos luttes magnifiques, qui sont nos luttes.
Message of solidarity of the Greek academic community to the students in struggle in Quebec
We, academics in the Greek universities, express our solidarity to the extraordinary student mobilization in Quebec: the longest and largest student strike in the history of North America, which is now evolving into one of the most powerful anti-austerity campaigns in the world.
The Greek academic community is watching in indignation but also in hope the struggle of Quebec’s students to block the tuition increases and to resist an unprecedented neoliberal attack on social welfare.
We are watching in indignation, because draconian government repression has threatened not only freedom of expression and democratic rights, but also the life itself of students, faculty and administrative staff as well as of other citizens who express their solidarity. The law-and-order administration, which restricts the freedom of protest, threatens democracy and attempts to silence every voice resisting neoliberal education reforms. When democracy is at stake, disobedience is a duty.
And we are watching in hope, because the voice of the student movement of Quebec offers valuable lessons to the world concerning resistance to education commoditization and the defense of public and democratic education.
In this struggle we are many. Our mobilization has become too strong to contain. From Quebec to London and Rome, from Santiago to Vienna and Athens, the academic community gives the same fight. In Greece, we were successful in 2006 in blocking a constitutional amendment aiming at abolishing the exclusively public character of universities. Recently, we managed to delegitimize and inactivate a law aiming at a neoliberal restructuring of higher education. We are many and therefore optimistic and confident. All together, let us continue the fight for rendering education a public good in the whole world.
We, Greek academics, declare our solidarity to your wonderful struggle, which is our struggle!
LIST OF SIGNATURES
1. Kyrkos Doxiadis, Professor of Social Theory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
2. Vassilis Anastassopoulos, Professor, Department of Physics, University of Patras,
3. Nikos Barkas, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture Engineers, Dimokritos University of Thrace
4. Lela Gogou, Professor, Dimokritos University of Thrace
5. Konstantinos Kavoulakos, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Crete.
6. Dr Angeliki Spiropoulou, Lecturer in Modern European Literature and Theory, University of the Peloponnese
7. Evangelos Nikolaidis, Assistant Professor, University of Crete
8. Athina Stavridou, Lecturer, School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens
9. Dimitrios S. Patelis, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Sciences, Technical University of Crete
10. Kostas Bassioukas, Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Ioannina
11. Leonidas Oikonomou, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
12. George Tsimouris, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
13. Tasos Anastopoulos, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
14. Kostas Stamatis, Professor, School of Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
15. Dr. Yeoryios Stamboulis, Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Thessaly
16. Maria Karamessini, Associate Professor, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
17. Iphigenia Kamtsidou, Professeur Assistante de Droit Constitutionnel, Université Aristote de Thessalonique
18. Marianna Kondyli, Associate Professor, University of Patras
19. Dimitris Seremetis, Assοciate Professor, Department of Applied Economics, University of the Aegean
20. Kostas Gavroglu, Professor of History of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
21. Michalis Psimitis, Associate Professor, University of the Aegean
22. Vassilis Christophides, Professeur, Université de Crète
23. Dr. Alexandros Kioupkiolis, Lecturer, School of Political Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
24. Spyros Karavas, Associate Professor, Department of Social Anthropology and History, University of the Aegean
25. Stavros Stavrides, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens
26. Christina K. Kitsaki Assistant Professor, Agricultural University of Athens
27. Dimitris Psillos, Professor, School of Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
28. Alexandros Baltzis, Assistant Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
29. Dr. Christina Adamou, Lecturer in Film Theory, Film Department School of Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
30. Maria Giannisopoulou, Université de Crete
31. Pandelis Kiprianos,Professeur, Université de Patras
32. Alexandra Ioannidou, Associate Professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
33. Dimitris Papalexopoulos, Professor, School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens
34. Dimitris Fassouliotis, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
35. Andreas Notaras, Lecturer, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
36. Dimitris Damigos, Assistant Professor, National Technical University of Athens
37. Aspasia Velissariou, Professor, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
38. Eliza Anna Delveroudi, Professor, University of Crete
39. George Xylomenos, Assistant Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business
40. Rania Astrinaki, Lecturer, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
41. Dimitrios Anastassopoulos, Assistant Professor of Physics, University of Patras
42. Dimitris A.Sevastakis, Assistant Professor, National Technical University of Athens
43. Yannis N. Krestenitis, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), President of The Union of Academic Teachers of AUTH
44. Alkis Rigos, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science and History, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
45. Dimitris Dialetis, Professor, Department of Philosophy and History of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
46. Stavros Konstantakopoulos, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & History, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
47. Polymeris Voglis, Assistant Professor of History, University of Thessaly
48. Ilias Santouridis, Associate Professor, Technological Educational Institute of Larissa
49. Ada Dialla, Assistant Professor of History, Athens School of Fine Arts
50. Athena Athanasiou, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
51. Katia Fotinopoulou, Assistant professor, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
52. Anastasia Politou, Medical School, University of Ioannina
53. Spyros Georgatos, Medical School, University of Ioannina
54. Helen A.Thanopoulou, Associate Professor, Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, University of the Aegean
55. Pavlos Pantazis, Assistant Professor in Clinical Social Psychology, School of Film, Faculty of Fine Arts, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
56. Iraklis Mavridis, Lecturer, Department of Social Policy, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
57. Efthymios Papataxiarchis, Professor of Social Anthropology, University of the Aegean
58. Spyros Marchetos, Assistant Professor, School of Political Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
59. Takis Geros, Lecturer, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
60. Nikos Kotaridis, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
61. Panagis Karazeris, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of Patras
62. Panos Papadopoulos, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, University of Patras
63. Georgios Agelopoulos, Assistant Professor, Department of Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies, University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki
64. Fragkiskos Kalavasis, Professor, Department of Preschool Education and Educational Design, Aegean University
65. Sia Anagnostopoulou, Associate professor, Department of Political Science & History, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
66. Maria Papadopoulou, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly
67. Xenia Chryssochoou Professor, Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
68. Riki van Boeschoten, Associate Professor, University of Thessaly
69. Harris Athanasiades, Associate Professor of History of Education, University of Ioannina
70. Maria Paradeisi, Asssistant Professor, Department of Media, Communication and Culture, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
71. Maria Markou, Lecturer, School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens
72. Rena Klabatsea, National Technical University of Athens
73. Sofia Avgerinou, National Technical University of Athens
74. Yiannis Theotokas, University of the Aegean
75. Gerassimos Kouzelis, Professor, Department of Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
76. Giorgos Papakonstantinou, Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly
77. Spyros Benetatos, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
78. Angeliki Dimitrakopoulou, Vice-Rector, University of the Aegean
79. Pothiti Hantzaroula, University of the Aegean
80. Tonia Kioussopoulou, Associate Professor, Department of History and Archaeology, University of Crete
81. Efi Avdela, Professor, Department of History and Archaeology, University of Crete
82. Alexandros Koutsouris, Associate Professor, Agricultural University of Athens
83. Anna Matthaiou, University of Thessaly,
84. Cimon Anastassiadis, Professor, Technical Education Institute of Athens
85. Aliki Angelidou, Lecturer, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
86. Elena Tzelepi, Doctor of Philosophy
87. Anna Chronaki, University of Thessaly
88. Eugenios Angelopoulos, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, National Technical University of Athens
89. Manolis Dafermos, University of Crete
90. Spiros Kriwas, University of Patras
91. Yiannis Papatheodorou, Assistant Professor of Modern Greek Studies, University of Ioannina
92. Christos Dermentzopoulos, Assistant Professor of Anthropology of Art University of Ioannina – Dept. of Fine Arts and Sciences of Art
93. Giota Touloumi, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
94. Socrates Petmezas, University of Crete
95. Giorgos Divaris, Associate Professor of Faculty of Fine Art, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
96. Maria Nikolakaki, Assistant Professor, University of Peloponnese
97. Takis Politis, University of Thessaly
98. Ria kalfakakou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
99. Anna Spyrtou, Assistant Professor, School of Education Department of Primary Education University of Western Macedonia
100. Vicky Iakovou, Lecturer, University of the Aegean
101. Panagiotis A. Kanellopoulos, Assistant Professor of Music Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, School of the Humanities, University of Thessaly
102. Nikos Belavilas, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens
103. Zambia Katsanevaki, (laboratory teaching staff) National Technical University of Athens
104. Tassis Papaioannou, Architect-Professor School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens
105. Giorgos Fourtounis, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & History, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
106. Aglaia Kasdagli, University of Crete
107. Georgia Aslani, University of Ioannina
108. Michalis Spourdalakis, Professor Dept. of Political Science & Public Administration, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
109. Rea Delveroudi, Professeure Associée, Departement de Langue et de Litterature francaises, Universite d’Athenes
110. Aristotle Tympas, Assistant Professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
111. Emmanuel Angelidis, Professor, Department of Political Science & History, Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Athens
112. Antoniou Katerina, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Ioannina
113. Savvas Christoforidis, Assistant Professor, University of Ioannina
114. Rosa-Maria Polymeni, Assistant Professor, Sect. of Zoology-Marine Biology, Dept. of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
115. Arvanitakis Alekos, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, National Technical University of Athens
116. Nikitas Mylopoulos, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly
117. Filareti Zafiropoulos, Ass. Professor, Dept. of Mathematics, University of Patras
118. Alexandra Koronaiou, Professor, Department of Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens
119. Rika Benveniste, Professeur, Dpt d’Histoire, Archéologie et Anthropologie Sociale, Universite de Thessalie
120. Thanasis Daradoumis, Assistant Professor, Department of Cultural Technology and Communication, University of the Aegean
121. Androniki Dialeti, Department of History, Archaeology and Social Anthropology, University of Thessaly
122. Fotini Vaki, Lecturer, Department of History, Ionian University
123. Alexandra Mouriki, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Science and Early Childhood, University of Patras
124. Demosthenes Stamatis, Professor, Department of Information Technology, Technical Education Institute of of Thessaloniki
125. Giorgos Plakotos, Lecturer, Department of Social Anthropology and History, University of the Aegean
126. Lina Venturas, Professor, University of Peloponnese
127. Evgenia Sifaki, Lecturer, University of Thessaly
128. Dimitris Chassapis, Professor, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
129. Stephanos Dimitriou, Associate Professor of Political Philosophy, University of Ioannina
130. Jina Politi, Professor Emeritus, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
131. John Milios, Professor of Political Economy, National Technical University of Athens
132. Nikos Pasadakis, Associate Professor, Technical University of Crete
133. Angeliki Konstantakopoulou, Associate Professor of Balkan History, University of Ioannina
134. Theophanes Grammenos, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly
135. Stavros Goutsos, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras
136. Theano Fotiou professor National Techical University of Athens, School of Architecture
137. Evangelia Antoniou Lecturer of Midwifery, Midwifery Department, Technological education institution of Athens
138. Stratos Georgoulas, Assistant Professor, University of the Aegean
139. Ioannis K. Zarkadis, Assoc. Prof. School of Medicine University of Patras.
140. Leonidas Maroudas, Professor University of Patras
141. Kanellaki Sofia Assistant Professor of Psychology. Panteion University
142. Dimitris Papageorgiou, University of the Aegean
143. Emmanuel M. Papamichael, Associate Professor, University of Ioannina,
144. Costas Gaganakis, University of Athens
145. Alexis Benos, AUTH Medicla School, Thessaloniki, Greece
146. Tina Zormbala Department of Mathematics University of the Aegean
