Threats to academic freedom and autonomy of higher education institutions in Europe
Recommendation 2189
(2020)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Text
adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of
the Assembly, on 20 November 2020 (see Doc. 15167, report of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education
and Media, rapporteur: Mr Koloman Brenner).
1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers
to its
Resolution 2352
(2020) on threats to academic freedom and autonomy of
higher education institutions in Europe, and recalls that democratic
education, particularly democratic higher education, is a prerequisite
for fair, inclusive and sustainable democratic societies. Higher education
must play a key role in helping to shape the post-Covid-19 world,
working towards a stronger commitment to human rights, democracy,
the rule of law, social justice, inclusion and equity, and must
reshape itself to respect the core values of academic freedom and
integrity, institutional autonomy and accountability, as well as
societal responsibility. Higher education institutions must revitalise
their function as societal actors for the public good. In this context,
the Council of Europe Reference Framework of Competences of Democratic Culture
is more pertinent than ever.
2. The Assembly welcomes the continuing commitment by the Council
of Europe to the issues of academic freedom and institutional autonomy,
as expressed in the Declaration of the Global Forum on Academic Freedom,
Institutional Autonomy and the Future of Democracy held in June
2019 in Strasbourg.
3. The Assembly remains concerned, however, about the multiplication
of negative measures taken in some member States which violate or
undermine academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The Council of
Europe must not turn a blind eye to any abuse of human rights and
academic values in its member States. The States concerned should
be held accountable and be asked to revoke their controversial or
discriminatory legislation and reverse the measures that do not
respect the values of the Organisation they belong to.
4. The Assembly is convinced that stronger action is needed on
the part of the Council of Europe and its member States to address
academic freedom and autonomy of higher education institutions.
The Organisation is well positioned to provide the necessary guidance
and support, in close co-operation and co-ordination with other
relevant European and international institutions and organisations.
5. In light of the above, the Assembly recommends that the Committee
of Ministers:
5.1 adhere to the
use of the definition of academic freedom as adopted by the Conference
of Ministers of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) on 19
November 2020;
5.2 in close co-operation with the Bologna Follow-up Group
(BFUG) and other relevant stakeholders, uphold the development of
the EHEA framework for the enhancement of the fundamental values
of higher education and, in this context, entrust the Steering Committee
for Education Policy and Practice with:
5.2.1 carrying
out an empirical study on the state of affairs and the awareness
of scholars, researchers, university staff and students throughout
Council of Europe and EHEA member States of their academic freedom;
5.2.2 drawing up an action plan on policy advice and awareness
raising in order to harmonise the sometimes-contrasting policies
pursued by countries and individual institutions in the name of
academic freedom;
5.2.3 carrying out a study on the effectiveness of constitutional
provisions and the implementation of legislative frameworks that
are meant to protect academic freedom and institutional autonomy
in member States, and make policy recommendations on the basis of
this study;
5.2.4 assessing the need for and feasibility of a binding instrument
on academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
