The Minister of Higher Education and Research, Sylvie Retailleau, is due to bring together the presidents of establishments during a videoconference on Thursday, May 2, the franceinfo political service learned from the ministry. The objective, according to the ministry, is to “collectively remember that the university is a bastion of democracy and structured debate, that it is neutral and cannot be exploited”. This meeting comes following movements in support of the Palestinian cause in several establishments including Sciences Po Paris and the Sorbonne. Follow our live stream.
Debate at Sciences Po Paris. After the establishment was blocked on Friday April 26, management promised to hold an internal debate. It is to be held on Thursday and is only open to students and employees.
A student mobilization that can expand? The movement will continue on Sciences Po sites throughout France, Eléonore Schmitt, spokesperson for the Student Union, said on Tuesday on franceinfo. Blockages are notably planned in the IEPs of Saint-Etienne, Rennes, Strasbourg and Menton. At the start of the week, however, mobilization actions remained few in number in the 74 universities, despite the call from student unions, such as Unef or the Student Union, to “intensify mobilization in places of study”.
Students reject any instrumentalization. “We know what we do, we know what we say”defend Lyon students who contest any political exploitation. “Shame on those who exploit the conflict and who use the students”protested Sylvie Retailleau on Tuesday, facing the deputies.