Cultural or academic boycott of Israeli: - Not part of Norwegian Policy

- A cultural or academic boycott of Israeli or other educational establishments is not part of Norwegian policy, said Minister of Research and Higher Education, Mrs. Tora Aasland, in her answer to the Parliament today:

 - In the view of the Government a boycott is incompatible with the hallmark of academic culture: a free, research-based dialogue – without any consideration of who the contributors are. Moreover, a boycott would contravene principles of academic freedom protected by law.

Our universities and colleges are obliged to promote academic freedom through accepted ethical and scientific principles  of open discourse. Staff have the right in law to choose their own academic contacts as well as the topics and methods of their research. It is not the concern of institutions if some researchers decide not to pursue contacts towards certain countries, institutions or scientific groups. Conversely, the board of a college or a university also cannot impose not to collaborate with researchers from Israel or any other country.

As regards the role of academic boards and institutions it is completely legitimate to discuss any issue submitted. This pertains to the series of lectures dealing with the Middle East conflict and the pamphlets received by the NTNU board.

The academic views in the lecture series are the responsibility of the NTNU. The pamphlets, as mentioned, are addressed to the NTNU board and will be considered as a normal point of business at the meeting on 12 November 2009. The Government is confident that the board will deal with the matter in a professional way and resolve it in a way consistent with the role and the constraints of the work of the board.