On Monday 20 March, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and curator Alicja Gescinska gave the long-awaited starting shot for the Caroline Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking, or PACT for short. PACT curator, philosopher and opinion maker Alicja Gescinska gave a lecture in Flagey's legendary Studio 4 about her latest work Humanitas, which will be published mid-March. Two critical voices - Jonathan Holslag and Kathleen Van Den Daele - reacted on Gescinska lecture. Students and the audience in the packed hall fully mingled in the critical debate.
The late rector Caroline Pauwels was the creator of PACT in 2018, when it did not yet bear her name. Critical thinking was a permanent task for VUB rector Caroline Pauwels (1964-2022). After all, critical thinking does not happen without effort, is never self-evident and always involves nuance. And especially with dialogue. Caroline Pauwels devoted herself immensely to taking that dialogue with society to a higher level. It is that interaction with students, with scientists and with the wider society that the Caroline Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking wants to continue.
Gilles Ledure was grateful to host PACT as director of Brussels' Flagey at the legendary Studio 4.
VUB rector Jan Danckaert was grateful that the Caroline Pauwels Academy of Critical Thinking was launched with such enthusiasm. "With PACT we want to spread the DNA of our university as far as possible, we want to propagate critical thinking as a method widely by organising evenings like this where critical thinking is given a stage."
PACT is needed more than ever, Jan Danckaert stated in his speech. "What is true, what are facts and what are half-truths and whole fabrications? We live in a time when distinctions are blurring, a time of the echo chambers of social media, of extreme polarisation and of rampant populism, where everyone is always right. And everyone else is wrong."
To answer this, PACT relies on scientific methods and free research. "Because science can dispel doubts, can confirm or disprove hypotheses. Verify or falsify," is how Jan Danckaert put it. "With PACT, we want to invite inspired thinkers and committed scientists from home and abroad, from inside and outside the university, to engage in critical dialogue."
The curatorship of PACT is in the hands of Alicja Gescinska. A philosopher with Polish roots, it is impossible to imagine the public debate in Flanders and beyond without her. She has written numerous award-winning books, made TV programmes like Wanderlust and is a Fellow of the VUB. During the launch of PACT, she introduced her latest book Humanitas - A forgotten ideal. Alicja Gescinska argues for a revaluation of humanitas, of universal human connection as well as responsibility, as an answer to the malaise of our times.
"Humanitas is being a compassionate human being: the attitude to life characterised by an awareness of the individual's own strength and the moral responsibility towards others that flows from that strength, and which translates into an attitude of modesty, helpfulness, generosity, generosity and kindness. Humanitas means being benevolent and committed in your attitude towards your fellow man."
Alicja Gescinska's lecture was followed by rejoinder from VUB professor of International Relations Jonathan Holslag. He stressed the importance of educating the new generation of students to become critical-thinking global citizens. Kathleen Van Den Daele provided a second reply. She is general coordinator of LEVL, an independent participatory organisation and successor to the Minderhedenforum. LEVL strives for an inclusive society, free from racism and discrimination. "The fight against discrimination and racism is a fight of all of us."
The PACT launch ended with a conversation between Alicja Gescinska, Jonathan Holslag and Kathleen Van Den Daele. Two students had their say and the audience joined in enthusiastically.
Pictures of the launch of PACT
