US embassy asks Flemish universities about diversity policy
The US embassy has sent a survey to several Flemish universities asking about their diversity policies, Flemish Education minister Zuhal Demir told the Education Committee on Thursday. The survey also asks about views on gender ideologies, climate justice and relations with countries like China.
After questioning European companies about their diversity policies in March, the US government is now apparently investigating Flemish academic institutions. Several universities have received a questionnaire from the US embassy asking about possible Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity (DEI) initiatives, minister Demir confirmed on Thursday.
Belga has seen the questionnaire in question. Universities are explicitly asked if their projects include elements related to DEI. It also asks whether universities are committed to climate justice and whether they have links with countries such as China, Russia, Iran or Cuba. Universities must also state that they distance themselves from communist or anti-American ideologies.
Universities must further confirm that they protect women from "gender ideology". There are other questions about the promotion of "patriotic values", respect for national sovereignty and limiting migration. Remarkably, the survey even asks whether universities are contributing to the influx of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl into the US, and whether they are taking sufficient counter-terrorism measures against their staff.
Beacons of free thought
"At the moment, there remains some ambiguity about the nature and consequences of the questionnaire. What is clear is that our norms and values in the knowledge institutions should not be influenced from abroad," said Demir. To this end, the minister is coordinating with Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele, who is responsible for the region's foreign affairs.
"The developments in the US are worrying. Outside interference is unacceptable."
According to Demir, there has already been a meeting between Flanders Foreign Office, Flanders Investment & Trade and the US Embassy on the questionnaire. An interdepartmental meeting on the broader relationship with the US is planned for this week, where the questionnaire will also be discussed.
"The developments in the US are worrying. Outside interference is unacceptable. We never allowed it with someone like (Turkish President) Erdogan," Demir said on Thursday. "Our universities are a beacon of free thought. Even in difficult times, we have to defend this message in a democracy."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO SISKA GREMMELPREZ
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