In cadrul Consilului European din martie 2008 s-a definit si s-a discutat despre cea de-a cincea libertate care se doreste a fi intodusa alaturi de celelalte patru libertati fundamentale ale Uniunii Europene (liberatea mobilitatii persoanelor, a capitalului, a bunurilor si a serviciilor) : libertatea de circulatie a informatiei, cunoasterii si a rezultatelor cercetarii.

Ma alatur colegilor mei studenti liberali europeni in a saluta initiativa consiliului. Aveti mai jos textul comunicatului ELSN ( The European Liberal Student Network ) :

European Liberal Students welcome the Fifth Freedom of Knowledge

On 14 March 2008, the European Council uniting the heads of states and governments of all 27 EU-member states has declared that the EU must create a “fifth freedom” - the freedom of knowledge - which should be added to the four fundamental freedoms of the Union (the free movement of persons, capital, goods and services). In its conclusions, the Council has called, inter alia, for enhanced mobility of students and researchers, better working opportunities for scientists, continued higher education reforms, open access to knowledge and open innovation as well as for a better protection of intellectual property.

The European Liberal Student Network (ELSN) within the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) explicitly compliments the European Council for its courageous step of lifting the freedom of knowledge on one level with the four other fundamental freedoms of the European Union. As liberal students we fully support the lifting of all red tape and restrictions on the spreading of knowledge. We therefore agree with the Council conclusions, not only because every declaration in favour of more freedom is dear to our liberal hearts, but because we are convinced that this fifth freedom is fundamental for the achievement of a European Union where there are no borders and limits for brilliant brains and excellent ideas.

ELSN and its member organisations as representatives of students from all over Europe will take responsibility in the promotion of the fifth freedom and will vehemently defend and contribute to all European actions that will contribute to its achievement. We are ready to take an active role in the development of practical ideas and we are willing to cooperate with European policy makers to foster the implementation of relevant policies.

We now call upon the EU institutions and the member states to take all necessary political, legal, administrative and financial steps in order to live up to the high goals set by the European Council. The European Liberal Students Network will closely follow all developments as a constructive partner, critical to every setback but enthusiastic towards all positive steps towards a European Union where the freedom of knowledge is not only a high goal but a reality!