Coalition for Academic Freedoms in Europe (CAFE)

NORRAG at the Geneva Graduate Institute hosts the Coalition for Academic Freedoms in Europe (CAFE), a collaborative network designed to support the defence of  academic freedoms within the European context. 

CAFE’s central mission is to promote, protect, and ensure respect for academic freedoms in Europe. To achieve this, CAFE is convening a collaborative network encompassing academics, higher education institutions, student unions, civil society organizations, European and international organisations, thereby enabling individuals and institutions to uphold the fundamental principles of freedom to learn, teach, research and communicate. Furthermore, CAFE strategically works to increase cooperation with civil society organizations and decision makers in relevant European bodies to advance academic freedoms in policy and practice.

CAFE’s efforts aim to contribute to increasing the visibility and relevance of academic freedoms in European public discourse, policy-making spaces, and within sectors engaged in democratic renewal. Depending on the needs and priorities of members, CAFE undertakes critical research initiatives and active policy dialogues tailored to the diverse European context, recognising that academic freedoms are fundamental to the right to education and the functioning of democratic and sustainable societies.

CAFE’s operational activities would emphasize research and convening individuals and institutions to contribute towards addressing external and internal threats that undermine freedoms to learn, teach, research and communicate. The coalition would regularly convene members and stakeholdersthroughout Europe to facilitate learning and dialogue, and connect decision makers with evidence and experts. These convenings will foster interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral exchange to address complex policy challenges and support institutional change. To ensure knowledge translates into action, CAFE will co-produce Policy Insights to communicate concise and actionable recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders, and promote solidarity initiatives toward scholars and students at risk.

This European coalition works alongside three other regional coalitions for those concerned about academic freedoms in Africa (CAFA), the Americas (ACAF), and south-east Asia (SEACAF).