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international

Canadian activist and publicist Naomi Klein awarded honorary doctorate

Dirk Wolthekker,
9 november 2018 - 17:06

The Canadian activist, publicist and filmmaker Naomi Klein will receive an honorary doctorate from the UvA next year for her important contributions to drawing attention to global social justice issues.

Naomi Klein (48) became famous in 1999 with the publication of her book No Logo in which she criticised the growing power of multinationals. The book is now one of the founding works for the anti-globalisation movement and her first in a series that criticises ‘unrestrained capitalism’ which includes The Shock Doctrine published in 2007 and This Changes everything in 2014. According to Klein, it’s ‘disaster capitalism’ that we have to thank for increasing inequality and climate change.

 

Universities can award honorary doctorates (officially, doctor honoris causa (d.h.c.)) to individuals for exceptional achievements. In Klein’s case, it is for her contribution to the much-needed consideration of social justice issues. Ingo Venzke, Professor of International Law and Social Justice at the UvA, is the honorary promotor of Naomi Klein. ‘Her views are extremely important for scientific research and discussions about social justice within and between countries.’

 

Rector magnificus Karen Maex calls Klein a ‘critical thinker with huge social involvement’. ‘She has a refreshing way of looking at major contemporary problems and is able to question established ideas.’ Klein will receive the honorary title on the UvA’s dies natalis on January 8th. The UvA will announce a second honorary doctor next week.