Why defend public universities?

*Because it provides the possibility of accessing genuine scientific training that is free, secular, and of high quality.

*Because it offers the alternative of creating rigorous, proven knowledge, with an ethical sense and considering the diverse situations of each region of the country.

*Because public universities train the technicians and professionals who work in technological development that allows us to reach satellites, radars, or promote agricultural and livestock development with great international recognition.

*Because public universities train social scientists whose research and analysis are fundamental to understanding the realities of territories and people's daily lives, and to applying this knowledge to social policies

*Because it is where the Nobel Prize winners who make the country proud were trained.

*Because the creation of universities throughout the country allowed thousands and thousands of young people to be the first generation of university students.

*Because scholarships are not handouts or crumbs, but substantial contributions so that all students can cope with expenses in their daily lives.

*Because creativity and art find in its environment a space for development and motivation without censorship.

*Because free access was and will be a valued and recognized achievement by many countries.

*Because scientific and technological development is not limited to laboratories or conference presentations, as was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

*Because social memory still throbs in its corridors.

*Because in its classrooms, the diversity of thought of everyone is defended.

*Because we are convinced that education is a right for everyone and not a privilege for a few.

*Because at the public university we want to continue giving back to society the knowledge and results built through the education received.

*Because the fight for the salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff, along with a budget that allows the functioning of all the functions of the public university, is not a waste or a squandering of public money, but a priority for the necessary growth of the country.

*For all these reasons and many more, from the CLACSO Argentina Centers we invite all of society to join the marches that will fill the streets of the entire country on October 2nd.

The struggle for public universities challenges and calls upon all inhabitants.

Let us be a polyphony of voices fighting and defending the right to free, secular, and diverse university education.

CLACSO Member Centers of Argentina
26 September 2024

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