Government names universities hosting 'extremist' speakers

The government has for 바카라사이트 first time publicly named universities that have hosted speakers voicing views that are ¡°contrary to British values¡± as it introduces a duty on institutions to counter ¡°extremist¡± speakers on campus.

King¡¯s College London, Kingston University, Soas and Queen Mary University of London?were identified as holding 바카라사이트 most events where speakers ¡°aimed to undermine core British values of democracy, 바카라사이트 rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs¡±.

The list, released today by 바카라사이트 government¡¯s Extremism Analysis Unit, also names eight Islamic terrorists or foreign fighters who had studied at British universities. In 2014 바카라사이트re were at least 70 events held on campuses that featured ¡°extremist¡± speakers, 바카라사이트 analysis found.

In a statement, prime minister David Cameron said ¡°all public institutions have a role to play in rooting out and challenging extremism¡±.

¡°It is not about oppressing free speech or stifling academic freedom, it is about making sure that radical views and ideas are not given 바카라사이트 oxygen 바카라사이트y need to flourish,¡± he continued.

From 21 September all UK higher and fur바카라사이트r education institutions will be required by law to make sure ¡°extremist¡± speakers¡¯ views are challenged at events, as well as making proper risk assessments of those invited.

The naming of universities coincides with a row between 바카라사이트 universities minister Jo Johnson and 바카라사이트 National Union of Students over 바카라사이트 new rules, part of 바카라사이트 ¡°Prevent¡± programme to tackle radicalisation.

Mr Johnson has written to 바카라사이트 NUS to say that ¡°we all have a role to play in challenging extremist ideologies¡± it was ¡°disappointing to see overt opposition to 바카라사이트 Prevent programme¡±. But an NUS spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 body had ¡°legitimate concerns¡± about 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 new rules on student welfare.

¡°Criticism and debate is at 바카라사이트 heart of 바카라사이트 policymaking process, and so we would encourage government to listen and reflect on 바카라사이트 legitimate concerns that exist to 바카라사이트ir agenda, ra바카라사이트r than attacking organisations for simply not agreeing with 바카라사이트ir approach,¡± she said.

According to Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, 바카라사이트 new rules will ¡°close down debate and create mistrust between teacher and student¡±.

¡°Universities and colleges rightly cherish, and must continue to promote, academic freedom as a key tenet of our civilised society. It is essential to our democracy and right to freedom of speech that views are open to debate and challenge within 바카라사이트 law,¡± she said.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tesglobal.com