President Milanović: A distance between active politics and the University is crucial

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović participated today on the marking of the Day of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb, highlighting in his address a crucial importance of education in humanities and the Faculty’s historical role in forming critical thought in Croatia.

Although recognising the importance of technology and mathematics for the nation’s progress, President Milanović highlighted that the humanities in particular shape a complete and socially responsible person.

 “Through its more than 150 years of existence, this Faculty has nurtured and raised legions of critical thinkers. It remains indescribably important because I believe that education in humanities is crucial. STEM, mathematics, technology and natural science are also essential. A nation is doomed to stagnation without them. However, education in humanities is something which forms and shapes a person, provides a broader worldview and capacity for critical thinking,” said President Milanović.

He also clarified that critical thinking does not mean critical nit-picking and nagging at every given opportunity, but rather “the awareness of belonging to a society, of carrying a certain responsibility, of being a citizen and of being a part of a wider community.” “This is a national university, this is a national history. It was not bought on lease. This is an institution which lasts,” he pointed out.

President Milanović emphasised that throughout its history the Faculty has been the main arena of social and political movements. “From all of the Faculties at the University of Zagreb, this has been a place of thought, reflection and awareness. This has been the centre of Croatian thought, intellect, assessments and misconceptions, prejudices – everything. The most interesting place to be, to discuss, to reflect, and to be wrong – but very often to be right,” said President Milanović.

Furthermore, President Milanović advocated for a distance between active politics and the academia, drawing a historical parallel with the Second World War and the immediate post-war period. “Depoliticisation, i.e. a distance between the active politics and the University is crucial. In some critical and traumatic periods of the Crotian history, I even dare say worse periods of it – Second World War and its immediate post-war period – the influence of politics, whether coming from the left or the right, on the election of the University’s rector was at its lowest rates. The first four rectors of the University of Zagreb after 1945 were persons who had no connections to the Communist Party. Likewise, during the Croatian Independent State period, those were also persons who were not politically affiliated,” President Milanović reminded.

 “This is an important matter because those were the times of great trials and challenges when decent people often remained silent out of fear of consequences. And the mission of this Faculty is to speak, to contemplate and to reflect on things whenever possible,” he emphasized.

Finally, the President stated that the future cannot be understood without looking into the past. “Let’s turn to the future, yes, but with eyes on our backs because everything which is happening and which is ahead of us has already occurred in some form – one that is deeply instructive for us and for those who come after us. One must know how to read. It cannot be done by solving crossword puzzles. It cannot be taught by artificial intelligence. There is much AI cannot do. Therefore, let’s advocate for the right to natural stupidity, but do not let it pass the threshold of banning this institution. Be very restrictive in that. Congratulations on the anniversary,” President Milanović concluded.

In addition to President Milanović, the ceremony was addressed by the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, Professor Domagoj Tončinić; the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Professor Stjepan Lakušić; the Head of the City Office for Education, Sports and Youth, envoy of the Mayor of Zagreb, Krešimir Makvić; State Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, envoy of the Prime Minister, Professor Nikola Mrvac; and Member of Parliament, anvoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Assoc. Prof. Vesna Bedeković. Charters and annual awards of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb were also presented to professors and students.

President Milanović was accompanied by the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Education Jadranka Žarković.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta