Exactly 30 years ago, on the fiftieth anniversary of the liberation of Europe, Umberto Eco gave a speech at Columbia University warning us against the return of fascism: “Ur-fascism is likely to return in the most innocent guise. Our duty is to unmask it, to point the finger at each of its new forms - every day in every part of the world".
It is a speech that cannot fail to resonate, especially in 2025, when we will be celebrating 80 years of a free Europe. Coincidentally, it is also been 100 years since Benito Mussolini delivered his speech to the Italian Parliament on January 3rd, 1925, which is sometimes regarded as the tipping point towards totalitarianism.
If I have chosen to address this sensitive issue at the start of this year, it is because it has a particular resonance for UNIL. In 1937, our institution failed in its mission and academic values by granting an honorary doctorate to Benito Mussolini. This is a reprehensible act. There is no doubt about it, and I publicly condemned it in spring 2022. The Rectorate then chose not to erase this act, but to accept it as an integral part of UNIL's history. Echoing Umberto Eco's thesis, we believe it's best to take responsibility for our mistakes, explain them and document them. It is our way of saying that we have learned from the past, so that we never fall into the same traps again. We are also committed to a policy of remembrance, and I invite you to visit the enlightening exhibition currently on display on the Dorigny campus.
On the other hand, I would like to emphasize that fascism, as defined by Umberto Eco, is in direct opposition to the mission we share here at UNIL. I would like to demonstrate this in 5 points, after selecting a few of the 14 criteria set out in the former Florentine professor's speech:
- Umberto Eco speaks of the fear of difference as a key element of fascism. This ideology rejects all diversity and sees cultural, religious or social differences as threats. On the contrary, UNIL is a place where we value diversity and open-mindedness. The richness of our institution lies in its variety of perspectives, and in the interaction between people from different cultures and backgrounds.
- Where fascism imposes one-track thinking and a rejection of all criticism, our university values academic independence and critical thinking. Fascist thinking, as Umberto Eco points out, exalts action for action's sake, elevating obedience and condemning reflection. At UNIL, on the other hand, we encourage everyone to question, analyze and challenge established ideas. The freedom to criticize and debate is at the heart of our mission, as it advances knowledge and guarantees genuine progress.
- Umberto Eco also refers to the glorification of war as a characteristic of fascism. However, as a university, we are resolutely committed to peace, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Our mission is to prepare our students to become responsible citizens, capable of building a more just and peaceful world. For us, education is a means of promoting mutual respect, not confrontation. In this, our institution stands in stark contrast to the values of violence and hatred that characterize fascist ideology.
- Another fundamental point is our rejection of the exclusive elitism advocated by fascism. Where fascist ideology erects a rigid, authoritarian hierarchy, UNIL defends equality of opportunity and promotes open access to knowledge. We believe in everyone's ability, and we are working to make university a place where hard work and commitment are rewarded, regardless of origin or social status.
- Finally, we promote a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, where fascist ideology values a cult of virility and aggressive or authoritarian behavior. Our academic community is founded on caring relationships and cooperation. We seek to create an environment where everyone feels respected and supported in their intellectual and personal development.
Our commitment at UNIL is to promote free, enlightened and inclusive knowledge, knowledge that contributes to building a more open, just and respectful society. Fascism, as described by Umberto Eco, represents everything we reject: fear, hatred of difference, authoritarianism, rejection of criticism and freedom of expression. In the face of this, at the start of 2025, I wish to reaffirm our attachment to democratic and human values, which must remain the pillars of our institution and our society.
Thank you for sharing this conviction with me, by maintaining a discourse that is always nuanced, and thank you for making UNIL a place where these values continue to flourish.
I wish you an excellent year 2025.
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