The conference “Academic Freedom in Action”, held in Strasbourg on 13-14 November 2024, brought together experts, educators, and policymakers to underline the democratic mission of higher education and the critical importance of safeguarding academic freedom. The event served as the launch of the Council of Europe’s "Academic Freedom in Action" project, which aims to protect and promote academic freedom as an essential value in higher education.
Over two days, participants addressed pressing challenges facing academic freedom, which has come under growing pressure in recent years. Discussions emphasised that a strong culture of democracy is indispensable for the protection of academic freedom and explored the essential role of higher education in fostering critical thinking, active citizenship, and social responsibility.
The conference featured five comprehensive panels, including:
- The presentation of the Report on the Threats to Academic Freedom.
- A panel discussion on "Academic Freedom and the Fundamental Values of Higher Education", organised with the European Court of Human Rights, examining the topic through a human rights perspective.
- A discussion on "Academic Freedom in Politically Charged Times".
By convening public authorities, higher education leaders, international organizations, human rights advocates, and representatives of academia and students, "Academic Freedom in Action" set the stage for a renewed collective effort to protect academic freedom and ensure that higher education remains a cornerstone of democracy.
The conference also reflected the Council of Europe’s longstanding commitment to the democratic mission of higher education, as articulated in its "Education Strategy 2024-2030: Learners First". This strategy reaffirms the need for universities to strengthen their role in building democratic societies and safeguarding the core values of education and human rights.
For more information, please visit the Conference web page.