On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, the Dutch Parliament will debate the Spring Budget (Voorjaarsnota). This is our moment to send a clear message: the dismantling of higher education must stop. Email party leaders and share your personal story. 🔗 www.fnv.nl/cao-sector/o...

WOinActie is gematigd positief over de aangenomen motie waardoor de Toets Anderstalig Onderwijs (TAO) van tafel is. Wij zijn verheugd dat de TAO wordt geschrapt: hierdoor is het voortbestaan van veel Engelstalige opleidingen gewaarborgd en wordt de universiteiten nodeloze bureaucratie bespaard. 1/

"Het wordt een lange weg. Dat Wilders vertrekt, maakt het politieke klimaat iets minder onaangenaam. Maar het hoger onderwijs is daarmee nog allerminst gered." neerlandistiek.nl/2025/06/wild...

On Tuesday, June 10, we take to the streets again. The attack on higher education continues, but so does our resistance. More than ever, we need visibility, unity, and collective action.

Strike in Amsterdam June 10! The Dutch cabinet may have fallen, but the future of higher education in the Netherlands is still uncertain. We need to let the caretaker government and all the political parties know that the recently adopted budget with its drastic cuts to higher ed cannot stand...

The KNAW has issued a stark warning: academic freedom is at risk in the Netherlands due to increasing political interference in research and education. The planned budget cuts are part of a broader attack on higher education. We must stand firm in rejecting the erosion of academic autonomy.

Yesterday, on May 4, 2025, Minister Eppo Bruins gave a moving speech during Remembrance Day at Kamp Amersfoort. He reminded us that “commemoration is fighting against indifference.” He spoke of the “soft forces” of society—education, research, and cultural imagination...

🟥 CALL FOR A NATIONAL STRIKE - June 10 🟥 A week ago, we stood together on the Vrijthof to defend our universities. On Friday, the cabinet announced its plans to cut another 400 million a year from primary and secondary education. Yesterday, the minister confirmed he will force universities...

1,500 strong at the Vrijthof! As Janosch Prinz powerfully articulated: "Today we witnessed remarkable solidarity across our entire academic community. Students, scientific and support staff stood shoulder to shoulder, sending an unmistakable message to The Hague."

"Scientists and support staff stood united today in Maastricht. No critical thinking without practical strength." ✊ #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

At @maastrichtu.bsky.social we on strike today to protest destructive cuts of more than 1 billion euro that impact research, teaching and our position as border region university. #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO supportscienceandeducation.com

"Stop the cuts!" Protest in Maastricht against budget cuts in #HigherEd. Education is an investment! #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

Truer words were never spoken - universities are one of the last bastions fighting for a democratic future. #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

Today, I stood & marched with 1500+ colleagues and students in opposition to the government’s budget cuts to higher education. #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

For higher education, for the region! / Voor hoger onderwijs, voor de regio! #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

We don't just need universities to train doctors and engineers... We also need humanists, to help us to understand the world we live in. I am striking because we need to educate the next generation of teachers, journalists, and opinion makers. @tullioviola.bsky.social #WOinACTIE #StakingHO

“I'm Australian, and the cuts are making it really hard for international students. If they destroy the international environment, everyone here will be worse off.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“I feel this really determines my future. I want to go on to a research career and I am wondering whether I will be able to continue.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“These cuts come not from conviction but from hatred!” @pablo1981.bsky.social #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“Historici weten beter—rechtsgeschiedenis tegen de bezuinigingen.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“The far right is on the rise, they are mobilizing, and that means we need to stand up and fight.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“Education is democracy.” @blenormand.bsky.social #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“Education cuts are the opposite of what we need right now. This encroachment on internationalisation and education in general is very dangerous.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“Wetenschap is de toekomst en iedere euro die je investeert verdient zich vier keer terug. Het zijn geen kosten, het zijn investeringen.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“I'm striking because education is a multiplier. If you take that away you take so much more away.” @pascallepaumen.bsky.social @smartinez-bohme.bsky.social @seiselt.bsky.social #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“We are striking for the future of education and research funding.” #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

“We are striking on behalf of pint of science!” #WOinActie #StakingHO #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs

As Emma Goldman said, if I can't dance, I don't want to be a part of your revolution. @tullioviola.bsky.social #WOinActie #StakingHO #DefendMaastrichtUniversity

I've just finished my career in higher education, and for the past 40 years governments have just been taking away funding. We finally got the good news a few years ago that we'd finally get extra funding. And—

“I'm striking in solidarity with all universities in the Netherlands and joining with students to fight for the quality of education in the Netherlands. The more we join together, the stronger we'll be. I want all students to have the same opportunities as me.” #WOinActie #StakingHO

1/2: 📢 Universiteiten presenteren vandaag hun zelfregieplan voor internationale instroom. Tegenwicht voor schadelijke wetgeving én TAO — maar zelfs met steun blijven de bezuinigingen draconisch. Vandaag staakt UM. Zeg NEE tegen de kaalslag in onderwijs & onderzoek! 🟥 🔗 edu.nl/3xhet #WOInActie

Vandaag staakt Maastricht! Aujourdhui, Maastricht en grève! Heute streikt Maastricht! Today Maastricht is on strike! ✊ #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs www.fnv.nl/nieuwsberich...

🟥 Maastricht University is on strike today to protest devastating cuts in higher ed 🟥 👉 Show up @ Vrijthof @ 12:30! 👉 Bring your colleagues! 👉 Post your photos & tag us! 👉 Help us to spread the word - share this post! #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

🟥 Dutch universities are presenting their self-regulation plan for internationalization today - a thoughtful alternative to the government's damaging TAO framework. 🟥

🟥 Wat gebeurt er met een regio als het onderwijs daar verzwaakt wordt? 🟥 #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

🟥 Hoe zullen de bezuinigingen technologische innovatie beïnvloeden? 🟥

🟥 What can YOU do today to fight against the budget cuts? 🟥 Click the link to find out! 👇 tinyurl.com/ye7y8f7t

🟥 Waarom is internationalisiering van Nederlandse universiteiten belangrijk? 🟥 Klik op de link om erachter te komen 👇 tinyurl.com/mr3rbxjn

🟥 Wat betekent deze bezuinigingen voor onze samenleving? 🟥 tinyurl.com/3uaubvar

We are gearing up for strike day on Wednesday! Time to get all hands on board. 🟥 *WOinActie Flyering* 🟥 Join us today to flyer at Randwyck! Your support matters, and the support of your (fellow) students and colleagues and friends does as well!! Meet at 12:00, back entrance of UNS60, Randwyck

🟥 Why should you care about the university budget cuts, even if you do not work or study at a university? 🟥 Jonas Heller answers: 👉🏻 tinyurl.com/yaheyhdw #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

🟥 Universities play a critical role in our economy: tinyurl.com/wp5umd67 🟥 Maastricht University is striking to stop the destructive cuts to higher ed. Support us by signing the letter: supportscienceandeducation.com #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

🟥 What actions have citizens & university communities taken since the budget cuts to higher ed in NL were announced in 2024? 🟥 Jonas Heller (UM) explains: 👉🏻 tinyurl.com/3vs4zfue #WOinACTIE #DefendMaastrichtUniversity #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #StakingHO

An important thread of why striking against the budget cuts on Higher Education still matters! 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 @woinactie.bsky.social @woinactielimburg.bsky.social

Who is joining us on April 16th? #woinactie #strike #protest The quality of Dutch higher education and research is at stake!

If you want to live in a free, self-governing, stable, and innovative society, then you don’t let the first domino fall.

A thread: We know a lot of colleagues and students still doubting to strike. Here is why it matters: Imagine a long row of dominoes, perfectly aligned. The first one stands at the edge – seemingly insignificant on its own. But once it falls, a chain reaction becomes inevitable.

Saturday morning listening recommendation: "Eppo Ciao" protest song performed by the UM choir: tinyurl.com/yc6jk3ws The choir will do a live session on April 16 at the Vrijthof podium in Maastricht. Sing with us & join the protest! Special thanks and credits to the UM choir: www.umchoir.com

Op 16 April staken we in Maastricht tegen de onverantwoorde bezuinigingen op het hoger onderwijs. Ik ben erbij op het Vrijthof. Zie ik je daar? #KabinetSlooptHogerOnderwijs #WOinActie

Op woensdag 16 april pakt Maastricht de estafettestaking van Nederlandse universiteiten over. We staken uit protest tegen de inmiddels door de Eerste Kamer goedgekeurde bezuinigingen op het hoger onderwijs. Omdat goed (hoger) onderwijs essentieel is voor Nederland kennisland en haar democratie!