Receiving the Gunnar Svedberg prize on behalf of Fossil Free Gotherburg University
My name is Moa, and I am one of the campaigners in the campaign Fossil Free Gothenburg University in Sweden.
Last Friday, Gothenburg University awarded me the Gunnar Svedberg prize. This prize, not being very famous among students, is given annually to a student that ”has operated in the favour of students at Gothenburg University, and that has contributed to an increase of cooperation between students from different parts of the university”.
The nomination for the prize this year was:
“ […] Moa Karlsson has been one of the key students in this campaign, a campaign that has been visible and audible in local media, and that has participated in a seminar ”Fossil-Free University – Fossil-Free World? About divesting out of the fossil fuel industry”.
We, campaigners of Fossil Free Gothenburg University, see this event as an acknowledgement of the importance and legitimacy of our campaign here in Gothenburg. Clearly, people here at the university see links between questions about sustainability and the wellbeing of the students. They also see that our campaign attracts not only a small group of activist students, but students and staff from various disciplines all over the university.
I personally see this prize as a sign of encouragement. Engaging in voluntary work concerning important questions, such as how to deal with the oncoming climate crisis, is something that is not seen with vexation but with appreciation. All the long hours of hard work, together with my campaign friends here in Gothenburg (and all over the world) are acknowledged as being for a good cause.
Before, the thought has crossed my mind that “perhaps the uni think that we, the campaigners, are really bothersome and unimportant”. As a student who is really fond of my university (and that maybe wants to pursue an academic career), it has been quite a sad experience to be constantly focusing on the unethical practice of the investments of the university.
Therefore, by giving me this prize, I again can think that the kind of work that Fossil Free Gotenburg University are doing is not being pushed aside. On the contrary, the critical perspectives we are offering is encouraged by the university.
Gothenburg University has money invested in various fossil fuel companies. The goal of our campaign is to make the university divest from these companies. Now, we have been struggling to get this question on the table of the decision-makers for well a year. Still, we do not see any concrete plans of divesting any time soon from the university´s side. This is, of course, a frustrating fact.
Giving Fossil Free Gothenburg university this prize, and at the same time not giving any signs of wanting to commit to the Fossil Free movement, shows an ambiguity within the university. Giving me this prize might also be seen as an attempt from the university’s side, to hide the fact that they are not currently making any divestment plans. We would not let such an attempt pass in silence.
No, we are more convinced than ever of the legitimacy, and the urgence, of our university to join the global movement.
After I got the diploma at the ceremony, all guests were invited to a grand dinner and party. I got to meet professors and doctors that I have read, listened to and admired ever since I started studying here. They all saluted me and the campaign. “You must keep on fighting – you are doing extremely important work!” they told me and my friend Jennie, my date and a fellow campaigner. One of the main organizers of the evening approached me at the end of the party, and said: “did you notice that when you were awarded the prize, and you were applauded, there was a feeling of….well, it was a special ambience?” Honestly, I could not reply that I did remember, because standing there on stage made me really delirious and nervous. I do not remember much. But maybe he was referring to the fact that people were asking themselves “and now, will the university divest? What do they mean by giving her the prize?”.
There is an increasing number of students, professors and staff here at Gothenburg University that want a divestment to become reality! Therefore – when will the university act?