A new campaign launched to encourage students to discuss the issues
around free debate. Free-D, a campaign on free debate in
universities is being launched today (9 March 2009) to allow
students to share their views on topics such as whether free debate
is a human right and whether universities should police debate. The
campaign is being funded by the Department for Innovation,
Universities and Skills and supported by NUS and Universities UK.
David Lammy, minister for higher education, said: “Our universities
are central to preserving the proud tradition of free speech in
this country. “That’s why I’m supporting the campaign being
launched today, which provides a great opportunity for students and
academics to discuss their role in fostering a culture of free and
open debate on campus and in the wider world whilst recognising the
responsibilities that come with this.” If you are interested, have
an opinion or want to know more you can log onto the Free-D website
(free-d.org.uk) or log onto The Guardian’s Free-D micro site
(guardian.co.uk/free-d). There you can read and comment on others’
views and enter a journalism competition to win a laptop or video
camera and a day at The Guardian offices.
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