The Council of Europe’s Education Department renewed its focus on the democratic mission of higher education in 2024, reinforcing its commitment to academic freedom as a fundamental pillar of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This initiative builds on a series of policy instruments, including Committee of Ministers recommendations, Parliamentary Assembly resolutions, and the 2019 Global Forum on Academic Freedom. The Council of Europe’s Education Strategy 2024-2030, "Learners First", and the 2023 Summit of Heads of State and Government further stressed the importance of protecting higher education’s democratic role.  

The initiative aims to strengthen legal and policy frameworks supporting academic freedom, enhance monitoring mechanisms, and advance prior recommendations to address contemporary challenges.  

Key Activities

Conferences:

Academic Freedom in Action Conference (November 2024, Strasbourg)

• Objectives included identifying threats to academic freedom, exploring legal safeguards, fostering policy dialogue, and promoting institutional best practices.
• Brought together university leaders, legal experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives.

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Academic Freedom in Action Conference (2025, Strasbourg)
25-26 November 2025, highlights include:
•    Parliamentary and governmental panels on legislative frameworks, national observatories, and policy commitments
•    A session on sanctuary and solidarity, exploring programmes for at-risk scholars and their role in defending democracy
•    A session on legal protections under the European Convention on Human Rights with judges and legal experts, alongside a session on constitutional safeguards, in cooperation with the Venice Commission
•    Interactive workshops on monitoring threats, the role of universities, and putting academic freedom into practice
•    A global panel on shared struggles and international solidarity beyond Europe

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Reports and Policy Briefs:

The Council has historically supported academic freedom through recommendations addressing academic freedom, institutional autonomy and protection of research integrity. Notably, the Recommendation CM/Rec(2012)7 on the responsibility of public authorities for academic freedom and institutional autonomy remains a cornerstone policy amid rising threats identified through monitoring efforts. Emerging pressures include not only political but also non-political forces such as market influences, internal institutional conflicts, and societal pressures.

 Academic Freedom Insights Series
  - Ten policy briefs currently under development, analysing challenges and suggesting policy improvements, as a preparatory work for the new Recommendation on protecting academic freedom.

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  - Webinar "Political Interference and Academic Freedom: Navigating Growing Pressures in Europe and Beyond"

- Webinar "“Freedom to Think: Repression, Resistance, and the Right to Academic Freedom”

 Report on the Erosion of Academic Freedom (October 2025)
  - Comprehensive study documenting declining academic freedom trends, developed by the Expert Working Group on the Democratic Mission of Higher Education.

Clearing House on Academic Freedom (2026-2027):

A proposed initiative serving as a dedicated platform for monitoring, analysing, and addressing threats to academic freedom across member states.

Objectives:

•   Data collection and analysis of academic freedom violations;
•   Expert guidance, policy recommendations, and good practice sharing;
•   Enhanced cooperation among academia, civil society, and international organisations;
•   Annual reporting on academic freedom developments.

 Key Activities:

•   Establishment of a digital monitoring platform;
•   Expert workshops and capacity-building resources;
•   Regular engagement with international partners for global advocacy.

 Find out more about Democratic Mission of Higher Education