The management of the Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI) hereby expresses its solidarity with the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. We are deeply concerned about the legislative proposal that directly threatens academic freedoms and prevents the CEU from continuing to operate in Budapest.

Academic freedoms are vital for fulfilling the mission of universities and independent research institutes.

Many young talented people from Slovakia, Central Europe, and around the world have received a quality education thanks to CEU, which they now apply for the benefit of society as a whole.

The Central European Labour Studies Institute employs or has employed several graduates of the Central European University. Other CEU graduates at CELSI work or have worked as Research Fellows, Research Affiliates, interns, or have collaborated on various research projects. CELSI's management highly values ​​their irreplaceable contribution to the institute.

The proposed legislation directly threatens academic freedoms in Hungary and sets a precedent threatening the entire academic community in Hungary and beyond.

The management of the Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI) therefore respectfully, but urgently, calls for the above-mentioned draft legislation to be withdrawn by the proposers. The role of each state is to protect academic freedoms and create fair conditions for the development of universities and research institutes.

Marta Kahancová

Managing Director

Martin Kahanec

Scientific Director

The Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI) is a non-profit research institute based in Bratislava. It deals with multidisciplinary research of the labour market and its institutions, work organization, corporate social responsibility, ethnicity and migration and their roles in the economic, social and political life of modern society. According to the RePEc database of economic research and outputs, CELSI is the most productive institution in Slovakia. More information at www.celsi.sk