We must ensure that science remains open. This is really crucial.

by Nela Rhiehl

From my discussions with academics, I would like to reiterate what has been said here in this panel: We must ensure that science remains open. This is really crucial.

I would like to stress the importance of Erasmus Plus, a program you all know. It is one of the strongest science diplomacy tools that we have right now – and it is working well. Our Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) is trying to put more money into that program, because we really do believe that enabling exchange between academics is more important than ever. Right now, we see a shifting away from the people-to-people approach within science, and a shifting towards security. Security is an extremely important issue, but in our committee, we try to make sure that we keep the worth of academic exchange alive.

We have the far right in our CULT Committee, and they are turning things around. They are telling us straight to our faces that we are the ones who are promoting ideologies, that we are the ones who are not working science-based. Then we have to argue that we actually do rely on facts and they aren’t. Sometimes it feels like kindergarten… No, but seriously: It is crucial for me that politicians can never ever have political influence into science. This principle should never be questioned. But this is what we are discussing in the committee right now! Our job, also with the EU Science Diplomacy Framework, is to keep the ground open for exchange. Political interference into science and academia – that is a danger that I see in this moment.

From my discussions with academics, I do want to reiterate what has been said here in this panel: We need to make sure that we keep the openness for science. This is really crucial.

In ten years time, I hope that people from outside looking at Europe would see innovation—a science-friendly place for innovation, engagement, and cooperation. They would see that Europe is one place in the world where they can always come, and that we are committed to making sure that science remains free. They can come here, they can do their studies, but we are the ones who don’t give in to the Donald Trumps or Boris Johnsons of the world. We will make sure that this remains a place of freedom, and that we are here to engage with you on an equal footing.

Nela Riehl

Nela Riehl is a German politician, former teacher and Member of the European Parliament (Volt), Chair of the Culture and Education Committee (CULT) at the European Parliament.

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