Is there a crisis in international learning? The ‘three freedoms’ paradox

Abstract

This paper explores creative responses to global educational, financial and ethical crises. The focus is the potential intersection between academic, Internet and media freedoms. At base, it asks whether there are rights (of definition, use and control) associated with each of these. For instance, is unfettered access to the Internet a human right or is it analogous to a public utility? Does it matter to the polity if media freedoms are filtered and curtailed? And is academic freedom influenced, concerned or affected by either (or both) of the above? In an environment in which formerly ranked certainties no longer hold sway, new forms of international learning and global university behaviours are essential. I argue that exploring and defining an ethical curriculum is where the process begins; invoking it in terms of international research is where it travels; and changing the world inside and outside the campus is the ultimate destination.

Keywords:

• academic freedom
• higher education
• Internet freedom
• press freedom

Notes

1. Interestingly, according to the GlobeScan survey, only 43.5% of Greek citizens are currently connected to the web, with that number expected to drop even further given the recent economic ructions in that nation (BBC, 2010b).