The University of Antwerp and ‘decolonisation’

Question for written answer  E-001078/2021/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Derk Jan Eppink (ECR), Charlie Weimers (ECR)

The University of Antwerp is organising a two-day workshop entitled ‘Decolonizing Philosophy’[1]. Among the topics for discussion is the question ‘What is the relationship between whiteness and the academic institution?’ ‘Whiteness’ is a demeaning term referring to people’s racial or ethnic background.

The University of Antwerp received EU subsidies of at least EUR 14 598 796 in 2019 (source: Financial Transparency System).

• 1.How sure is the Commission that EU taxpayers’ money is not used for these kinds of workshops or ‘studies’?
• 2.The EU has condemned racism on many occasions and rightfully so. Isn’t the fact that the University of Antwerp is engaging in these kinds of events a breach of its overall working agreement with the EU, which of course rules out organisations engaging in racist acts?
• 3.How will the Commission deal with organisations that are engaging in ‘woke ideology’ and dividing Europeans by race instead of treating them as Europeans?

• [1] https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/conferences/decolonizing-philosophy