As pressures on academic freedom continue to intensify across Europe and globally, the Council of Europe’s Academic Freedom in Action 2025 conference (Strasbourg, 25–26 November) brought together academics, parliamentarians, judges, government representatives, civil society, and international partners for 1.5 days of focused exchange. The event highlighted the growing recognition that academic freedom is a benchmark of democratic health and that its erosion signals broader threats to freedom of expression, institutional autonomy, and democratic resilience.

Shared concerns, shared responsibility

Participants across sectors emphasised that challenges to academic freedom are now systemic, multifaceted, and accelerating, including political and legislative interference, censorship, intimidation, transnational repression, and pressures linked to digital and governance reforms. These developments, they agreed, demand coordinated responses rather than isolated institutional or national efforts.

Discussions stressed that protections remain fragmented and uneven across Europe. While international human rights law provides important foundations, participants noted gaps in legal and constitutional safeguards, variations in national approaches, and limits of existing jurisprudence. This reinforces the need for stronger common standards, improved monitoring, and closer alignment across European and international bodies.

Evidence and momentum for action

The conference included the launch of the Report on the Erosion of Academic Freedom, which maps emerging trends, identifies red flags across Europe, and stresses the urgency of action even as data continues to evolve. The newly presented Academic Freedom Insights series will support policymakers, institutions, and partners as they design practical responses.

Building on these discussions, participants highlighted growing momentum behind current Council of Europe initiatives: the forthcoming Committee of Ministers Recommendation on academic freedom, the exploration of monitoring approaches, and a wider conversation on whether a binding international instrument may be needed in the longer term.

Looking ahead

Across all conversations, participants shared a strong commitment to reinforcing academic freedom as a collective democratic responsibility. They called for deeper cooperation between different partners, and for embedding academic freedom more firmly into broader work on democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression, under the Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact.

The discussions also pointed to the importance of ongoing cooperation and shared commitment. The Council of Europe will continue supporting member states and partners in promoting academic freedom and democratic values, and in ensuring that universities can thrive as open and inclusive spaces for learning and public debate.

Find out more: Conference "Academic Freedom in Action 2025"

 Programme of the Conference (PDF)

Read also: Erosion of academic freedom: Council of Europe calls for stronger safeguards - Portal