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November 17 is a day of historical remembrance and a lasting reminder that Democracy, Freedom and human dignity are not achievements that can ever be taken for granted. They are values that require daily defence, institutional consistency and the active participation of citizens.
The Athens Polytechnic Uprising was a defining moment of resistance against authoritarianism and oppression. The voice of the young people of those days continues to speak to us today. It reminds us that no society can progress without democratic freedom, respect for differing views, justice and trust in the institutions of the state.
Democracy is not limited to safeguarding institutions and individual freedoms. It is tested every day in the way we treat those in need, the vulnerable, the poor and the excluded, and in the extent to which we ensure that no one is deprived of the right to a life of dignity.
Combating poverty, strengthening social cohesion, ensuring equal opportunities and promoting meaningful inclusion are not secondary objectives of a well-governed society. They are prerequisites for Democracy itself. Public education and public healthcare are fundamental social goods and safeguards against a person’s background, financial circumstances or personal difficulties determining their future.
The memory of the Polytechnic Uprising also calls upon us not to remain indifferent to peoples affected by war, violence and displacement. In our own neighbourhood, the Mediterranean, people, including children, continue to lose their lives at sea in search of safety and the chance of a better life.
Today, the greatest tribute we can pay to the memory of the Polytechnic Uprising is to confront our own responsibilities. To work for a country that progresses, produces knowledge, creates opportunities and does not force young people to seek their future elsewhere. A country in which people can create, work and live in safety, freedom and dignity.
The University has a particular responsibility in this endeavour, as it is not enough for it to be merely a place for the transmission of knowledge and scientific advancement. It must also be a space where critical thinking, democratic dialogue and social responsibility are cultivated. It has a duty to educate scientists and, at the same time, people with democratic awareness, sensitivity, solidarity, respect for diversity and a strong sense of responsibility towards society.
By honouring the memory of the Polytechnic Uprising, we uphold the values of Democracy, Freedom, social justice and human dignity, and renew our commitment to serving them every day, both within and beyond the University.
Rector of Hellenic Mediterranean University
Professor Nektarios Papadogiannis
