Statement on the freedom of science and research

At the fifth meeting of FORWIT and in light of developments in the US-American science and research landscape, as well as similar tendencies in Europe, the Council Assembly drafted a statement on the initiative of Jörg Flecker concerning the essential importance of freedom in science and research as a fundamental pillar of a democratic and future-oriented society:

“The freedom of science and research is a fundamental principle of open societies and a central pillar of liberal democracies. It enables independence in knowledge production, free choice of research questions, and critical engagement with societal challenges, independent of trends or short-term utilisation interests. Academic freedom thrives on the autonomy of scientific institutions, on legal and ethical frameworks, and on the responsibility to reflect upon the potential implications of scientific findings. It is a prerequisite for progress, innovation, and a vibrant culture of debate.

“At the same time, developments worldwide are emerging that challenge academic freedom. Financial constraints, ideologically motivated interference, and structural changes in scientific institutions are already endangering the independence of research and teaching in several states. The protection of academic freedom is a shared responsibility of science, society, and politics. To preserve it means to strengthen the foundations of an open, adaptive, and future-oriented society.”