"International Day of Action against the Commercialization of Education"

Just like every other public sector education systems are being put under increasing pressure to be more efficient and competitive on a global level. Doors are opened for companies and corporations to invest in higher education, tuition fees – once introduced – are sky-rocketing, faculties that are unable to attract enough private sponsors are deemed unnecessary and closed and politics increasingly focus on supporting a few educational institutions, in the hope to create "elite-universities" at the cost of all the other institutions.

Student activists from various countries who are all struggling against tuition fees, the increasing influence of profit-driven companies and corporations on universities and the privatization of Education in general launch this international Call.



During the last year alone, hundreds of thousands of students, teaching staff, parents and workers struggled together across the world to defend free public higher education for all. University buildings were occupied, roads blocked and petitions signed. A list of student and teacher protests against the commoditization of education (and the resulting tuition fees) for the year 2007 can be found here: http://fading-hope.blog-city.com/international_student_protests_2007.htm.
A similar list for 2008 can be viewed here: http://fading-hope.blog-city.com/students_protest_worldwide_against_commercialisation_bologn.htm

Currently students in Chile, the Philippines, the U.S. of A., Spain, Germany, Austria, Canada, New Zealand, France, England and other countries are struggling against the commercialization of education. Since 1999 most governments in Europe have been using the Bologna Process to challenge the status of education as a public good. Consequently the Higher Education systems in Europe are getting more and more linked to private instead of public interests!
Officially the process is suppose to improve the international recognition of degrees, increase the mobility of students and aims - just like every country in this world does as well - for Europe to become the most competitive economy on the world stage.
Usually reforms are promoted by promising more "autonomy" for universities and an increasing quality of education. But with more competition between institutions a process of selection is encouraged.

The commercialization of education results in universities being run like companies: students are being reduced to customers (no more democratic participation, be it by students or teaching and technical staff) and employees will be exploited. With increasing competition between institutions the creation of two-class education systems is being encouraged. One class will consist of the "fortunate" who passed a money-driven selection process or are "high potentials" for the labour market. The majority of students will have no choice but to go to those institutions that lose out in the competition with huge financial problems. Why should the private sector finance an education system that benefits the whole society anyway?

Education is too important to be exposed to market forces and private actors. Education should not be a commodity, but a right for all!


In support of free and emancipating public education

All over the world students are fighting to gain emancipating education, we shouldn't tolerate that education systems are being reduced to companies "producing" human capital for the labour market. We are not "resources", but human beings and citizens! All these are reasons why we reject the privatization and commodification of education all over the world. It is not conformable with a truly democratic society.

Education must be accessible to all, and not be tied to age or financial conditions. The commercialization of education is part of an international process shaped by "neo-liberal ideologies" (see WTO [GATS]; and the promoted competition between geographic locations) and the thirst for profits. Long-time learning for life is better than simple professionalization for the labour market. With this Call we aim to defend this idea and encourage internationally coordinated protests!!

Activists – mainly students – in at least 20 countries on 5 continents are preparing an "International Day of Action against the Commercialization of Education" on November 5th.
In some countries – such as Israel, Canada, Bangladesh and the Philippines – national unions are involved, in others protests are being organized by student representative councils at single universities or other activist groups involved in social movements.

The biggest protests are expected in various cities across Canada and Liberia, as well as in Zagreb (Croatia). Demonstrations, rallies or teach-ins are also planned in Kentucky (U.S. of A.), Düsseldorf (Germany), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Skopje ((F.Y.R.O.)Macedonia), Cairo (Egypt) and London (England).
Activists in Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Turkey, Greece, Spain and probably Italy as well will also join the others against the commercialization of education around the world on that day. International chat-conferences were organized in advance, where group representatives co-ordinated and planned the day of action and they all agreed to make use of the slogan "One World – One Struggle, Education is NOT for Sale" during the protests themselves. "Greetings of Solidarity" – some "live", others recorded – via Skype or phone are being arranged among various groups around the world for November 5th as well.

http://www.emancipating-education-for-all.org/

Protest in Vienna: Workshops in the morning, Actions in the afternoon, Party in the evening
http://freiebildung.at/wordpress/internationaler-aktionstag-gegen-die-kommerzialisierung-der-bildung/