CIVICA partners stand for academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
The following CIVICA members support the statement: “CIVICA partners stand for academic freedom and institutional autonomy.”: Bocconi University, Central European University, European University Institute, Hertie School, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Sciences Po, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics.
The aforementioned CIVICA partners stand united in reaffirming their commitment to academic freedom, institutional autonomy and the vital role of science in democratic societies. As a transnational European alliance of ten leading universities in the social sciences, CIVICA embraces its civic responsibility to foster open, critical scholarship and to serve the public good through education, research and societal engagement.
As independent institutions, universities are an essential component of resilient democracies. In the face of increasingly complex global challenges and political uncertainty, science – especially the social sciences and humanities – provides the analytical tools needed for public dialogue, informs policymaking and helps to develop peaceful solutions. Conversely, when political interference or educational constraints encroach on academic freedom, they undermine society’s capacity to adapt and innovate.
The CIVICA partners listed above reaffirm their stance against political or financial interference in science and education and are concerned by attempts across the globe to restrict academic inquiry or reshape institutions for ideological ends. Such actions erode the autonomy of higher education institutions and undermine the quality of academic research and teaching.
In keeping with the core values of our mission, CIVICA partners express their solidarity with institutions, scholars and students facing pressure or discrimination. CIVICA remains committed to fostering free and open spaces for academic inquiry and critical debate, encouraging diversity of views and pluralism.
As a European university alliance of social sciences, CIVICA will continue supporting academic freedom and institutional autonomy, guided by European values through exchange, innovation and international cooperation in education and research.
