Ensuring a strong culture of democracy is key to defending it. Public debates, academic studies and practical experiences in the Council of Europe member states contend that academic freedom is under serious pressure in the last decade.
With the launch of the new project “Academic Freedom in Action”, the Council of Europe sets to work on the protection and promotion of the values of academic freedom, ensuring that higher education remains a bastion of democracy and critical thinking.
The launch event “Academic Freedom in Action” on the democratic mission of higher education will comprise of five panels, including the presentation of the Report on the Threats to Academic Freedom, a Panel Discussion on Academic Freedom and Fundamental Values of Higher Education through the prism of Human Rights organised jointly with the European Court of Human Rights, and the high-level panel on Academic Freedom in Politically Charged Times.
Panel 1 – Academic Freedom in Action: Launch of Report on Erosion of Academic Freedom
“Academic Freedom in Action” marks the intensified efforts of the Council of Europe to protect and promote fundamental values of higher education, to set forth the work the premises of which were given in the Recommendation RecCM(2012)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the responsibility of public authorities for academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
The new Council of Europe Report on Threats to Academic Freedom intends to provide new insights in the erosion of academic freedom observed in recent years by examining and discussing the sources of threats and attacks.
Panel 2 – Academic Freedom in Politically Charged Times: High Level Panel Discussion
This panel will address the erosion of academic freedom in an increasingly anti-intellectual climate, marked by intensified attacks from segments of the media, political officials, and ideological opponents on the social sciences and humanities.
Additionally, the panel will explore the rise of online harassment targeting academics through social media and other digital platforms, the financial and emotional toll of defamation cases initiated by social groups to silence researchers, and the commercialisation of academia, which compromises academic integrity and freedom. The discussion will also address newly emerging security policies that, while intended to protect institutions, can inadvertently stifle academic freedom by imposing restrictive measures on research and discourse.
The role of academics as public intellectuals will be a focal point, considering how their contributions to public discourse can be hindered by confidentiality obligations. Finally, the discussion will aim to clarify the often-confused distinction between academic freedom and freedom of expression in both public debate and legal contexts, emphasising the responsibility of academic research to address social phenomena, particularly those marginalised in public debate or politically sensitive.
Panel 3 – Fundamental Values of Higher Education through the prism of Human Rights: Academic Freedom, Universal Right or Relative Term
The panel provides an opportunity to discuss the current landscape of academic freedom within the context of various international and European legal frameworks. While some treaties mention academic freedom indirectly, its explicit definition and protection is often lacking.
The panel will share insights and explore strategies to effectively address the human rights dimensions of academic freedom, and the role of legal system in protecting academic freedom. The discussion will include the presentation of the current de jure and de facto situation with regard to the protection of academic freedom in the Council of Europe member States.
Panel 4 – Academic Freedom and Democratisation of Science: Bridging the Gap through Communication
In the pursuit of protecting and promoting academic freedom, this panel will explore the intersection of democratising science and the dissemination of research. The panellists will reflect upon how enhancing public engagement and scientific literacy can bolster academic freedom by fostering a more informed and participatory society. This segment will highlight strategies to increase citizen competence in scientific matters, ensuring that the science produced democratically is both reliable and socially accountable.
Panel 5 – Academic Freedom and the Civic Mission of Higher Education
In today's socio-political climate, the role of staff and students at higher education institutions extends beyond the confines of classrooms and laboratories; they are vital contributors to the civic life of their communities. This session will explore how higher education institutions can nurture and protect academic freedom while simultaneously strengthening their civic mission and community engagement, thus establishing mutually beneficial links between higher education institutions and society.
Programmes of the Conference: English, French versions
For last-minute registration, please contact Jelena Drca at jelena.drca [at] coe [dot] int.