“There can be no well-being without academic freedom”: EUniWell Declaration
At the eighth EUniWell Rectors’ Assembly in Santiago de Compostela, EUniWell’s eleven member universities decided to issue a shared statement on academic freedom to express a clear and united stance: academic freedom is fundamental to the future of science, democracy, and well-being in Europe.
The joint Declaration on Academic Freedom aligns with the European “Choose Europe for Science!” initiative. At the recent launch of the programme at Sorbonne University in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a passionate case for a Europe grounded in free scientific inquiry.
Academic freedom: A non-negotiable principle
The EUniWell Declaration asserts that academic freedom is not optional – it is foundational. It affirms the right of researchers to freely pursue questions, develop theories, and publish results openly. At the same time, the Declaration stresses that freedom is inseparable from responsibility: research must be conducted with a clear commitment to ethical standards and societal relevance. EUniWell explicitly commits to actively disseminating the values that underpin academic freedom, both within and beyond the academic sphere, and both within and beyond Europe.
Science in service of well-being
Through interdisciplinary research, education, innovation, and civic engagement, EUniWell strives to improve well-being on individual, societal, and environmental levels. Academic freedom is the foundation that enables us as scientists and university actors and this this work to flourish. The Declaration reflects this core vision: that a society’s well-being depends on its ability to generate and protect independent knowledge.
“Our declaration is both a defence and an invitation,” says Prof. Beatrix Busse, EUniWell Chief Development Officer. “We defend our freedom of science to ask questions and seek answers without fear. And we invite society to understand that without academic freedom, democracy cannot flourish, and well-being cannot be achieved.”
A European commitment to knowledge and democracy
The Declaration also reinforces EUniWell’s dedication to a strong and democratic (European) Research and Education Area. In times marked by misinformation, political polarisation, and global crises, EUniWell stresses the urgent need for independent and open science that is capable of helping societies navigate uncertainty and build sustainable futures.
“True well-being and innovation can only grow where thought is free,” states Professor Carine Bernault, President of Nantes Université. “In reaffirming our commitment to academic freedom, we are safeguarding the very conditions that allow our students, researchers and societies to thrive.”
By backing the “Choose Europe for Science!” initiative, EUniWell positions itself as a haven for researchers seeking a free and values-based academic environment. The message is clear: academic freedom is the basis for our futures.
Contact
For general information or media enquiries, please contact Janina Baumann, EUniWell Communications Manager.
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