Supporting Exiles: The Role of Academics for Chile

This article examines the response to the 1973 coup in Chile. The response was remarkable both in its intensity and duration and in the number of countries which condemned the coup and made efforts to give assistance to those forced into exile. In Britain, the academic community quickly organized to make a sustained effort to give support to those members of Chilean universities who were the victims of the coup. This led to the formation of Academics for Chile, which, thanks to World University Service, led to grants being made to some 900 academics and students from Chile. The development of Latin American studies in several universities in the UK meant that the academic community was well-informed about developments in that country and had close contacts with Chilean academics. Support was widespread amongst universities in the UK and, came not just from the left, but from those who wished to defend academic freedom and democracy.