From political interference and restrictive laws to the loss of institutional autonomy and intimidation of scholars, the space for independent research and academic debate is shrinking. When academics are silenced, societies lose critical voices that safeguard truth, accountability, and human rights. Protecting academic freedom is therefore a shared responsibility, essential to preserving democratic resilience.
To address these mounting pressures on academic freedom and its vital role in democratic resilience, the Council of Europe is hosting a conference entitled Academic freedom in action 2025. It will bring together academics, parliamentarians, judges, government experts, civil society, and international partners. The two-day event, which started on 25 November, features sessions on political, legal, and institutional responses to challenges facing universities and academics across Europe.
The conference was opened by Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge, Balázs Hankó, Hungary’s Minister for Culture and Innovation, and Pap Ndiaye, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe. Experts will examine how shared norms and stronger protections can help counter threats such as political interference, censorship, harassment, self-censorship, restrictions on institutional autonomy, foreign interference, transnational repression, SLAPPs, and online intimidation.
In his speech, the Deputy Secretary General stated that, “When academic freedom is restricted and removed, spaces for open and honest debate disappear. And as the freedom to speak the truth and voice criticism – even of governments – disappears – so does democracy.”
A dedicated session will explore the link between academic freedom and legal protections under the European Convention on Human Rights, with contributions from judges and legal experts, alongside a discussion on constitutional safeguards in cooperation with the Venice Commission. Another session will focus on sanctuary programmes for at-risk scholars, highlighting their role in protecting individual rights and the democratic mission of higher education.
Alarming report on academic freedom
The Report on the erosion of academic freedom in Europe, commissioned by the Council of Europe, will be launched publicly for the first time. The study provides evidence-based analysis and recommendations for universities, governments, and international partners. It reveals a steady decline in academic freedom over the past 10-15 years, with structural violations identified in several states. Political interference emerges as a persistent threat, alongside pressures from internal restrictions, societal hostility, private sector influence, and security-related limitations. The authors of the report – Professor Peter Maassen (University of Oslo), Professor Zoltán Ronay (Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest) and Professor Gergely Kovats (Corvinus University, Budapest) – will present it in person on 26 November.
Academic freedom as a democratic pillar
The event forms part of the Council of Europe’s work under the New Democratic Pact for Europe, aimed at promoting and protecting academic freedom, reinforcing safeguards, and supporting coordinated European responses.
In a time of growing uncertainty, Academic freedom in action 2025 seeks not only to diagnose challenges but to catalyse meaningful change. Through dialogue and cooperation, the conference aims to reaffirm academic freedom as a cornerstone of democratic life and provide a basis for continued action under the Council of Europe’s initiative.
Read the Deputy Secretary General’s speech in full
New Democratic Pact for Europe
Hungary and the Council of Europe
France and the Council of Europe
