PANEL
The University’s Moral Compass and Academic Freedom

Wednesday 13 November, 20:00
Auditorium, Tongersestraat 53
UM-students and UM-employees only

Academic freedom is one of the most important principles of the modern university. It is essential for good scientific practice, but there are limits: scientists and scholars from all domains must always seek a proper balance between academic freedom and independence on the one hand, and social responsibility on the other hand. The question is where this balance lies, who decides and who is responsible for it.
In recent years, various moral issues have been raised within the UM community in which the university is asked to take a stand, putting pressure on academic freedom. At the moment, this is the case when it comes to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. A Human Rights Due Diligence Assessment Framework was already in the making, but is now put forward to establish guidelines on how to respond to signals of potential human rights violations a partner may be involved in or where the research topic raises concerns.
With the university board members and different guests from other university’s we want to address the dilemmas that arise from this, academic freedom, polarization, the university as a safe space for all and the protests and its effects. What can and should the university and the UM-community do? 
 

With:
Prof. Pamela Habibovic, rector Maastricht University
Prof. Rianne Letschert, president Maastricht University
Prof. Ruard Ganzevoort, rector International Institute of Social Studies in Den Haag
Prof. Raf Geenens, Professor of Ethics and Legal Philosophy at KU Leuven's Institute of Philosophy
Markha Valente, PhD, Assistant Professor on the Intersection of Politics, Anthropology and History, Utrecht University