大学应该开放思想，而不是禁锢它们

Universities must be places that “open minds, not close them”, Jo Johnson is to warn as he argues that students must be able to challenge controversial opinions.

大学应该是开放思想而不是囚禁它们的地方。乔·约翰逊认为学生应该具备挑战争议话题的能力。

The universities minister will add that there are dangers to shielding students from differing views under the banner of “no-platforming” in British institutions.

他补充道，英国大学高举“no-platforming”的旗帜，为学生屏蔽掉不同的观点是很危险的事情。

During a Boxing Day speech at the Limmud Festival in Birmingham – a celebration of Jewish learning and culture – Mr Johnson will say: “Universities should be place that open minds, not close them, where ideas can be freely challenged”.

在庆祝犹太人学习和文化节日的犹太学问节上，约翰逊先生说：“大学应该是开放思想而不是禁锢它们的地方，在这里所有观点都可以自由地被人反驳。”

It comes after the minister unveiled proposals earlier this year that mean universities could face fines for failing to uphold free speech under a new higher education regulator – the Office for Students (OfS).

在这之前，部长便提议如果大学无法创建一个自由的言论氛围，也许会面临学生办公室——最新的高等教育监管部门的惩罚。

The proposals – currently open for consultation – could also see universities facing action including suspension and deregulation.

这个提议目前还在商议当中，提议还补充到惩罚的方式包括停止办学和放松管制。

Mr Johnson will add: “In universities in America and, worryingly, in the UK, we have seen examples of groups seeking to stifle those who do not agree with them.

约翰逊先生补充道：“在美国的大学，令人担忧是恐怕还有英国大学，我们看到许多团体压制和他们不同的声音。”

“We must not allow this to happen. Young people should have the residence and confidence to challenge controversial opinions and take part in open, frank and rigorous discussions. That is why the new regulator, the Office for Students, will go even further to ensure that universities promote freedom of speech within the law.”

我们决不允许这样的事情发生。年轻人应该有信心去挑战有争议的话题，进行公开、坦诚和激烈的讨论。这便是新任管理者进一步确保大学在遵守法律的前提下言论自由的原因。

His comments come amid an ongoing debate about free speech at universities, and a number of reports of speakers, debates, literature and organisations being opposed or criticised, often by student unions, societies or particular groups of students.

他发表此番言论之时正值大学能否言论自由的争论之际。许多发言人的报告、辩论、文学作品和组织经常遭到大学学生联盟、社会或特定组织学生的反对和批评。

Mr Johnson will also say that institutions must ensure there is no place for hatred, discrimination, extremism or racism.

约翰逊先生还说，学校必须确保杜绝一切仇恨、歧视、极端主义或种族主义。

“A racist or antisemitic environment is by definition an illiberal one that is completely in opposition the liberal tradition of our universities,” he will tell the festival.

种族歧视或反犹主义的校园环境是不自由的，也是完全违背了我们学校自由的传统。

Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “Universities are absolutely committed to promoting and securing free speech and will not allow legitimate speech to be stifled. There is already a legal duty on the higher education sector to secure free speech within the law and universities take these responsibilities very seriously.

英国大学首席执行官Alistair Jarvis说：“大学完全是致力于促进和确保言论自由的地方，不会允许禁止任何合法的言论。在遵守法律的基础之上保障言论自由是高等教育的法律义务，大学应该严格履行自已的责任。

“They have a duty, not only to secure freedom of speech, but also to protect the safety of students and staff. This is not always easy to balance, but universities are becoming increasingly experienced in this area and have policies in place.

“他们有责任，不仅要确保学生能够言论自由，还要保护学生和职工的安全。两者之间的关系并不总是容易平衡，但是大学在这方面越来越有经验，也出台了很多政策。”

“It is important that universities do not become discussion-free zones. They must continue to be places where difficult topics are discussed and where people, however controversial their views, should be allowed to speak within the law, and their views challenged openly.”

大学不能成为“禁止讨论”的地方。在大学里，人们可以谈论棘手的话题，每个人只要不违反法律，都可以提出不同的观点，他们的观点也公开接受其他人的反驳。