Fight for academic freedom: Germany says No” to pressure!

Fight for academic freedom: Germany says No” to pressure!

On March 28, 2025, the Alliance of Science Organizations and the Federal Minister of Education and Research published a joint statement emphasizing academic freedom as an essential element of liberal, democratic societies. This statement highlights growing concerns about the pressures facing science in different regions of the world. The freedom of science and international exchange are loud uni-freiburg.de crucial for social and economic progress.

In this context, reference was also made to the “Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Research”, which was passed in 2020. This declaration emphasizes the central role of freedom of research in the European Research Area. In this declaration, higher education ministers of the European Higher Education Area have committed themselves to the values ​​of academic freedom, academic integrity and institutional autonomy. The Alliance welcomes these developments as they are seen as important support for academic freedom.

International support for researchers

The joint declaration also underlines the importance of international mobility of scientists, which benefits everyone involved. Germany is highlighted as an attractive location for research and innovation, not least because of the guaranteed academic freedom and the comprehensive framework conditions. The intention is clear: Germany wants to secure and further expand its attractiveness for excellent scientists.

A central concern of this declaration is also the protection of researchers who can no longer work freely in their home countries. To achieve this goal, strengthening international cooperation in areas such as climate change, biodiversity loss and social justice is considered necessary. The global crisis requires intensive and free cooperation from all states.

Monitoring freedom of research

In addition, the Bonn Declaration provides for continuous monitoring of the situation of freedom of research. Prof. Dr. Peter-André Alt, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), emphasizes the need for political support for academic freedom and demands that this freedom should not be restricted by political motives. The HRK President is also pushing for political measures to defend academic freedom, as numerous scientists in many countries are at acute risk or are being persecuted. In Germany there is a commitment to offer protection and prospects for scientists at risk, particularly through programs such as “Academy in Exile” and “Scholars at Risk”.

The HRK Senate recently expressed its dismay at the state violence in Iran, where students and scientists are also affected. In addition, measures have been taken in Germany to raise awareness of the dangers and reprisals that university members are exposed to. In many countries, such as Russia, science is increasingly subjected to political repression, sending a dangerous signal to the global scientific community.

According to the 2023 Academic Freedom Index, over 50% of the world's population is experiencing a decline in academic freedom. In 22 countries there are significant deteriorations compared to ten years ago. Only five countries have recorded improvements. The HRK has therefore launched a campaign dedicated to supporting scientists at risk, called #ResearchersAtRisk.

In order to overcome this global challenge, it is essential that Germany, as part of a strong European research area with international partners, contributes to solving pressing problems. This applies in particular to topics such as peace and conflict research as well as biomedical issues.