In November 1940 Professor Cleveringa held a legendary and courageous oration, in which he protested the removal of all Jewish professors by the German occupator.  Cleveringa became a paragon of academic freedom and free speech. Today, examples from abroad teach us that this freedom should not be taken for granted. Our media are filled with news about new measures that enable the Chinese government to control the people digitally: think about the Social Credit System, camera surveillance and censure on social media and the internet.

From a Western point of view, these developments are worrying and make us wonder: how far does the digital control of the Chinese government reach? What can the Chinese still say and do online? What is the value of freedom of speech, if the government influences your opinion by deciding what news you get to see? We look for answers to these questions and more on ‘De Avond van Cleveringa’ together with dr. Ingrid d’Hooghe (Leiden University, Clingendael Institute) and dr. Yuxi Nie (Leiden University, Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven).

Would you like to attend the event? Please be welcome! Entrance is free and there will be drinks afterwards.

Practical information:

Date: 28th of November.
Doors open: 7 pm | Start: 7:30 pm | End: 9:30 pm
Location: Kamerlingh Onnes Gebouw C131.
Language: English.

Free entrance & drinks afterwards!