Values still come first
The Magna Charta Universitatum document was elaborated in 1988 thanks to the Observatory, an independent organisation that brings the best universities from all over the world together. At that time the Declaration contained a number of basic values that should be followed by universities. University of Lodz was one of its first signatories. Both in the area of conducted research and everyday operation it showed that standards of conduct contained in the MCU find their reflection in all the activities undertaken by the University.
The new version of the document, which has been worked on since 2018, apart from the original provisions, has been enriched with additional annotations related to the challenges of the present day that universities have to face. Raising awareness of the values such as: academic freedom and responsibility, independence of educational institutions and unlimited access to education, is currently particularly important.
The renewal of the signature on the document was a great opportunity to reflect on the question what the essence of the mission of a university is.
The role of every university, including ours, is exemplary behaviour, i.e., behaviour worth following – says prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska, Rector of the University of Lodz. – Such behaviour is possible thanks to clearly defined, specific values that underlie decisions taken, chosen directions and ways of facing challenges of the contemporary world. Re-signing of the Magna Charta Universitatum has a symbolic meaning to our University, which we could call "renewal of vows".
Together with the academic world
When signing the declaration, the University of Lodz placed special emphasis on the need to ensure security and sustainable development related to the challenges of the present day. Our University also recognized the right to generally accessible education as no less important. Professor Łukasz Bogucki, the UL Vice-Rector for international relations, was talking about activities of the University with this respect.
The Magna Charta Universitatum – a declaration containing the basic standards of conduct that universities should follow – was created on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the University of Bologna. Its signatories include the most prestigious universities from around the world, which, as part of their membership, undertake to follow the basic values, among which we should mention:
• freedom of research,
• ethical conduct,
• social responsibility and care for sustainable development,
• tolerance,
• the right to education,
• acting for the benefit of local communities,
• promoting healthy habits and well-being.
It should be underlined that the basic standards of conduct contained in the document are shared with universities from all over the world. By signing the new version of the declaration we symbolically confirm that we have common values and we recognize how important it is to promote them nowadays – adds the UL Rector, Elżbieta Żądzińska.
The universities that are signatories of MCU include, among others: the University of Oxford, Boston University, University of Porto, SWPS University or Aalto University.
The Observatory is an independent organisation the goal of which is to ensure scientific and intellectual integrity in the area of activities carried out by universities. It coordinates the Magna Charta Universitatum initiative, which is to guarantee trust and relationships between universities and their communities, both locally and globally.
Source: Magna Charta Universitatum
Edit and video production: Promotion Centre, UL