In 2016, UNESCO agreed to establish a UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Human Security at the University of Graz to strengthen interdisciplinary teaching, research, academic cooperation and outreach in human rights and human security. The Chair supports UNESCO’s objectives of life-long learning and human rights education as a means to promote global citizenship, create inclusive societies and foster peace and stability.
The inaugural event of the UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Human Security addresses the human right to academic freedom in Europe. Protecting the freedom of scholars and scientists is crucial in order to maintain and rebuild a free and democratic society in times of instability
and war. Yet, even in Europe academic freedom is facing new challenges – scholars are being silenced and imprisoned – promoting the protection of this freedom is therefore an important issue of our time.
17.00 Welcome
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Peter Scherrer, Vice-Rector for Research and Junior Researcher’s Promotion
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Storr, Dean of the Faculty of Law
Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerd Oberleitner, UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Human Security
Introduction: Academic freedom as a human right
17.30 Panel discussion
Keynote:
Stephen Wordsworth, CMG LVO, Executive Director of CARA (Council for At-Risk Academics)
Attacks on academic freedom in 2016: How to respond?
Mag.a Gabriele Eschig, Executive Secretary, Austrian UNESCO Commission, Vienna
UNESCO and academic freedom
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kerem Öktem, Professor of Southeast Europe and Modern Turkey, Center for
Southeast European Studies, University of Graz
Academic freedom in Turkey
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Benedek, Professor of International Law (em.), University of Graz
Academic freedom – the contribution of World University Service (WUS)
Discussion chaired by Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerd Oberleitner
19.00 Reception
