Berlin University Alliance is developing the new initiative ”Nexus Europe” that focuses on the collaboration with countries from Central and Southeast Europe. This event concentrates on one of the priorities:

The university is an important piece in the fabric of European democratic societies. Academic free-dom is constitutive for how research is conducted and how knowledge is used in democratic con-texts. Public funding for Universities, but at the same time non-interference in academic matters is a central promise of European states.

Yet, in recent years, academic institutions across Europe and beyond have come under increasing political pressure, with attacks on autonomy, funding, and academic freedom.

The panel will discuss particularly experiences in Central and Southeast Europe and explore how the discourse there resonates with German discourses and political agendas. What institutional, financial, legal, and international mechanisms are needed to safeguard the future of open, inde-pendent scholarship?

The event is open for all.

Further information: https://berlinscienceweek.com/programme/resilient-democracies-resilient-universities-europes-public-universities-under-pressure