The Academic Freedom in Action 2025 Conference brings together parliamentarians, state representatives, academics, civil society actors, international organisations, and legal experts to take stock of the current situation, share innovative practices, and explore avenues for coordinated action. Organised by the Council of Europe Education Department, this event is to shape the collective response to increasing threats, and it will mark the launch of the Report on the Erosion of Academic Freedom and the Academic Freedom Insights. These documents provide evidence-based insights into threats, recommend actions for universities, governments, and international partners, while also providing a basis for the continued action and policy development under the Council of Europe’s initiative.
The programme of the Conference features high-level sessions highlighting political, legal, and institutional responses.
Session 1 – Academic Freedom and Democratic Institutions: Parliamentary Perspectives
Academic freedom is closely linked to the state of democratic institutions. Legislators play a decisive role in developing legal and political frameworks that can either protect or undermine academic freedom. This high-level session will bring together parliamentarians to reflect on how parliaments, as representatives of the democratic will, can defend academic freedom against infringements and threats, and promote the conditions necessary for open and critical research. This session will explore recent initiatives and frameworks at both national and European levels.
Session 2 – Political Commitments to Academic Freedom: The Role of States
While parliaments establish legislative frameworks, it is up to states, through their governments and public institutions, to translate political commitments into concrete measures to protect academic freedom. This panel will examine national strategies and practices, focusing on how governments and higher education institutions can work together to establish observatories, support structures and cooperation mechanisms. It will also consider how these experiences can inform multilateral action and how the Council of Europe can help member states to strengthen academic freedom.
In addition to presenting government-led initiatives, the session will also highlight broader national actions, whether led by states or by higher education institutions with government support. By examining different models, such as the French and Dutch observatories and the recent political commitment at the United Nations level (Portugal), the discussion will explore the lessons that can be learned from national and multilateral strategies on protecting academic freedom.
Panel 3 – Sanctuary and Solidarity: Defending Scholars, Upholding Democracy
Programmes supporting at-risk scholars are essential for protecting lives and liberty, as well as defending academic freedom and democratic values. By offering refuge to scholars threatened due to their research, public engagement, or peaceful exercise of their human rights, these programmes safeguard individual lives and the freedom of thought and inquiry essential to democratic societies.
This session aims for panellists to share insights on developing effective national and regional mechanisms that support at-risk scholars and also strengthen academic freedom and democratic resilience worldwide.
Panel 4 – Academic Freedom and the European Court of Human Rights: Legal Pathways and Challenges
This session will explore how freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights intersects with academic freedom, as well as its connections with the right to education under Article 2 of Protocol No. 1 and the rights to private life and freedom of thought, conscience and religion under Articles 8 and 9 of the Convention. The conversation will examine how the Court’s jurisprudence has shaped the understanding of academic freedom to date, and how it could evolve further to provide stronger safeguards. Beyond the legal reasoning, the session will also reflect on what this means in practice for academics, universities, and society at large, in contexts where academic freedom is contested.
Panel 5 – Constitutional and Legal Safeguards for Academic Freedom: Insights from the Venice Commission
This session explores the constitutional and legal dimensions of academic freedom, drawing on the Venice Commission’s expertise in reinforcing democratic standards and the rule of law. The discussion will examine how academic freedom is protected (or reduced) through constitutional texts, legislation, and judicial practice in different member states, and how these protections relate to broader democratic resilience.
Panel 6 – Reporting from the Frontlines: The Erosion of Academic Freedom in Europe
Presentation of the Report on the Erosion of Academic Freedom in Europe prepared by experts withing the framework of the Council of Europe’s Working Group on Democratic Mission of Higher Education. The session will offer a snapshot of current trends, threats and risks, and proposed avenues for action, drawing on monitoring, case analysis, and stakeholder input.
Panel 7 – Academic Freedom Insights and Policy Development
The Academic Freedom Insights series, comprising ten policy briefs, builds upon the work of the Council of Europe Expert Working Group on the Democratic Mission of Higher Education. It explores key challenges, opportunities, and threats related to academic freedom, serving both as an awareness-raising tool and a resource for policy development. Each brief addresses a specific dimension of academic freedom, reflecting priority areas identified by the Expert Working Group.
Beyond raising awareness, the series is a key resource for the Council of Europe’s work on policy development and for partners across Europe and beyond. By promoting dialogue on academic freedom, the Insights series aims to support concrete action to strengthen democratic societies.
Panel 8 – Academic Freedom at the Council of Europe: Linking Values and Practice
To explore how academic freedom can be more effectively integrated into the wider work of the Council of Europe on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This session will highlight synergies with other sectors of the Organisation, contributing to the Secretary General’s New Democratic Pact and the Council’s broader efforts to defend fundamental freedoms.
Panel 9 – International Global Currents, Shared Struggles: Academic Freedom under Pressure Worldwide
Academic freedom is under growing pressure not only in Europe but globally. This session will examine key developments beyond Europe, with particular attention to the situation in the United States, where recent legislative attacks and governance changes have reshaped the academic landscape. How do these trends resonate with or influence developments in Europe and elsewhere? What can be learned from global responses, and how might international solidarity and cooperation be strengthened to counter these pressures? The session will offer comparative perspectives and highlight emerging global strategies to defend academic freedom.
To participate in the conference, please register via this link.
More information:
Global Forum on Higher Education 2025 - Education