Berlin-Brandenburg Academic Freedom Week: Academic Freedom at Risk
This panel discussion “Academic Freedom at Risk: European Universities between Resilience and Responsibility” with university presidents from Berlin and Paris explores protection programmes for at-risk scholars. It asks how higher education institutions can safeguard freedom, solidarity, and openness under pressure.
Facts
Unter den Linden 6
10099 Berlin
Description
Advocating for academic freedom and implementing programmes to host at-risk scholars and artists bring fundamental challenges into focus: how resilient are universities, and are they able to provide safe and supportive environments?
Providing protection and prospects for those at risk is not only an act of solidarity; it is also central to the mission of universities to defend intellectual freedom and the pursuit of knowledge. However, this commitment is under increasing pressure: anti-democratic tendencies and tightening budget constraints make it more difficult for academic institutions to remain open, inclusive and internationally connected, while also protecting those whose work and voices are under threat.
We cordially invite you to a public panel discussion in English that addresses these pressing questions from interdisciplinary, regional and transnational perspectives. The programme will end with a reception for all guests.
Welcome address
The French Ambassador to Germany, François Delattre
Introductory reflections
Prof. Dr. Andrea Fleschenberg dos Ramos Pinéu (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
Associate Prof. Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi (Universiti Malaya)
Prof. Jay Rowell (Centre Marc Bloch)
Discussion
Prof. Dr. Julia von Blumenthal (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
Prof. Dr. Markus Hilgert (Universität der Künste Berlin)
Pierre-Paul Zalio (Campus Condorcet)
Dr. Sevil Çakır (independent researcher)
Chair
Jan-Martin Wiarda