The “Global Forum on Higher Education 2025: Renewal of the Democratic and Civic Mission” took place in Prague, June 2025. In the months leading up to the Forum and those since, the attacks on democracy, academic freedom, and higher education have accelerated at an alarming rate. Global collaboration, shared learning, and solidarity among the higher education community is needed to preserve and advance democracy during this critical time.

This webinar, which took place on  9 April 2026, (9:00-10:30 AM EST / 3:00-4:30 PM CET) extended the global dialogue on key themes and takeaways from the Forum. The discussion brought forward a range of key themes around the role of higher education in democratic societies. Panellists reflected on the need for universities to more fully realise their democratic mission, including by embedding values such as diversity, inclusivity, equity, tolerance, justice, and open inquiry across governance, teaching, and research. They also highlighted the importance of institutional autonomy and academic freedom as essential conditions for advancing these values, alongside the need to strengthen universities’ engagement with society and recognise knowledge and expertise beyond academic institutions.

Particular emphasis was placed on practical ways forward, including leadership development in "science and knowledge diplomacy", prioritising student voice and agency, leveraging universities as democratic civic anchors in their local communities, rebuilding public trust, and restoring the social contract between higher education and society at large. A standout contribution from an academic freedom expert at the Council of Europe provided a compelling overview of current challenges and concrete responses to threats to academic freedom, reinforcing its central role in enabling universities to contribute meaningfully to democratic debate. 

Brief opening remarks

• Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General, International Association of Universities
• Yadira Pinilla, Senior Specialist, Department for Human Development, Education and Employment, Organization of American States

Moderator: Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General, International Association of Universities

Panelists

• Timothy K. Eatman, Professor of Urban Education and Inaugural Dean of Honors Living-Learning Community (2016-2026), Rutgers University - Newark (New Jersey)
• Syndia A. Nazario-Cardona, Associate Vice President of Government Affairs & Institutional Relations, Ana G. Mendez University (Puerto Rico)
• Francis W. Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria; Chair of Universities South Africa
• Kirsten Roberts-Lyer, Professor and Chair of Human Rights Programme, Central European University; Member of the Council of Europe Expert Working Group on the Democratic Mission of Higher Education

Brief closing remarks

• Ira Harkavy, Chair of the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility, and Democracy; Barbara and Edward Netter Director, Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania

 The recording is available at this link: https://youtu.be/Aoi_EouYtwM

Background

The theme of the 2025 Global Forum on Higher Education was Renewal of the Democratic and Civic Mission. This, the 8th such global conference, was hosted by Charles University, in Prague, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, 3-4 June 2025. This invitational event was sponsored and hosted by ‘The Global Cooperation for the Democratic Mission of Higher Education’, which includes the Council of Europe, the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility, and Democracy, the International Association of Universities (IAU), and the Organization of American States (OAS). The two-day meeting brought over 100 participants from 34 different countries together from across Europe, Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, and North, Middle and South America. 

For more information on the Global Forum, including the General Rapporteur’s Report:

https://www.coe.int/en/web/education/global-forum-on-higher-education-2025