Advocacy for Academic Freedom and Human Rights

About

In this summer school we will discuss academic freedom and related human rights in an international perspective. Participants practice developing campaigns for academic freedom and related human rights, for example in support of an academic institution under threat or in support of an unjustly prosecuted academic.

Academic freedom and the related human rights of students and scholars are acutely endangered in Europe and many places around the world. How can we ensure that universities remain -or become- places of free scientific enquiry and debate, academic solidarity, and (global) social responsibility? How can we, as members of the academic community, support students and scholars at risk?

Universities play a vital role in fostering inclusive dialogue, shape policy through research, and strenghten democratic institutions in our complex global landscape. In this course we will reflect on the meaning of universities in open societies, and how research and education academic build democratic resilience and counter disinformation.

During the summer school, we engage in discourses on academic freedom and related human rights in an international perspective and develop advocacy campaign to defend academic freedom, or in support of a unjustly prosecuted scholar.

Participants in this summer school will be able to critically analyze concepts of academic freedom, academic solidarity and academic responsibility as well as related human rights, comparing their interpretation across different (epistemic) cultures and in global perspective, and assess its importance in fostering intellectual and societal progress.

In addition to this, participants gain insights into the different ways by which academic freedom and the human rights of scholars can be violated/constrained.

Participants will be introduced to practical knowledge of the different tools and strategies available to protect and promote academic freedom, academic solidarity and (global) social responsibility as well as to human rights of at-risk students and scholars, on campus or elsewhere.

Participants will get to know a number of the major European and international organisations and networks active in the field of promoting academic freedom and protecting students, scholars and universities at risk, such as the Scholars at Risk Network, the Magna Charta Observatory, or the New University in Exile Consortium.

Participants will further develop professional skills to effectively and ethically plan, implement and assess human rights and public policy advocacy campaigns to protect and promote fundamental academic values and at-risk students, scholars and universities. Some essentials of social media campaigns, legal frameworks, communication strategies, and global networks will be introduced

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