On the occasion of Difference Day each year, VUB and ULB award the Difference Day Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression. This year, VUB rector Jan Danckaert and his ULB counterpart Annemie Schaus presented the award to author and former president of PEN International Jennifer Clement and Indian journalist Ravish Kumar.
3 May was declared International Press Freedom Day by the United Nations in 1993. In 2015, the first edition of Difference Day took place on the initiative of Caroline Pauwels. Since then, every year on 3 May, VUB and ULB award honorary titles to exceptional personalities: journalists, writers or organisations whose extraordinary, inspiring and courageous efforts contribute to freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
At the event, rectors Jan Danckaert and Annemie Schaus expressed their concern about contemporary developments. Indeed, since the first edition of Difference Day, the situation of press freedom and freedom of expression has remained precarious, not only far away but also here in Europe.
Schaus explained why Ravish Kumar was deserving of the award. “We are focusing on a different part of the world this year. On the largest democracy in our world. And the now most populous country, with 1.4 billion inhabitants.” She was critical of developments in India. “Is the greatest democracy still the greatest democracy when press freedom comes under pressure? When independent and critical media are the enemy of a regime that tolerates less and less dissent?” By awarding the Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression to Kumar, the Brussels universities and their partners denounce this evolution while giving their full support to critical and independent journalists and their media in India.
Danckaert added: “Not only journalists and other people in the media, but also writers and authors are threatened in too many places. Our other honorary title tonight goes to a courageous author who has always fought fiercely for women's rights, oppressed groups and most importantly: freedom of expression. In 2015, she became the first female president of PEN International. Tonight we honour Jennifer Clement’s personal commitment, but also PEN International’s commitment to freedom of expression and to authors under threat around the world.”
Ravish Kumar and Jennifer Clement
Ravish Kumar (1974) is an Indian journalist and media personality. He was the face of the independent news channel NDTV until he stepped down last year, when NDTV became one of the last independent media outlets to be taken over by a government-friendly tycoon. Under prime minister Narendra Modi, India is increasingly sliding towards an authoritarian state. Independent, serious journalism is under pressure as fake news, noisy debates and polarisation take over. .
Jennifer Clement (1960) is an American-Mexican author of award-winning novels (including Prayers for the Stolen) as well as non-fiction titles, who has always fought fiercely for women’s rights, oppressed groups and freedom of expression. She lives and works in Mexico City. In 2015, she became the first female president of PEN International, a role she continued until 2021. Authors’ association PEN was founded in London more than a century ago, in 1921. It stands up for free speech and opposes any form of censorship, and today is active in more than 100 countries. VUB Fellow Alicja Gescinska is the chair of PEN Flanders.