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Democracy has enabled citizens to live in a world where rule of law, freedom of expression and free elections are regarded as basic rights. However, we are becoming more and more aware that democracy is fragile and cannot be taken for granted. To keep democracy in our countries -and thus continue being free citizens-, we must actively promote it and even fight for it.

If topics like higher education and democracy, academic freedom, political or social struggle of students around the world, etc. belong to your main field of interest, check out our events planned for Democracy week 2023!

Higher Education and Preserving Democracy, May 3, at 16:00-18:00 CET

• Live streaming link:

International scholars will share their perspectives on the link between higher education and democracy. The event will be led by student hosts, the content of the discussion was developed in cooperation with a focus group of students from the FORTHEM Alliance.

: The situation higher education institutions in Ukraine. How are they operating during wartime. The challenges that are created for the institutions and the future of higher education in Ukraine.

: Access to higher education in Ethiopia. Reflections on the connection between education and democratic values.

: Personal experiences and perspectives on Academic freedom, public discourse and democratization.

Academic Freedom Under Attack, May 4, at 18:00-20:00 CET

• Streaming link: Zoom link will be emailed to registered guests

Violations against academic freedom has increased in recent years. The latest reveals that declining academic freedom is one of the top five indicators of democratic erosion. State authorities, social group, and sometimes universities themselves have been complicit in the violations of academic freedom.

During this event, we will hear from young student who had to flee persecution and are now students at FORTHEM Alliances universities. They will speak about their experiences and reflect on the issues faced by the society they were born in and the perspective they developed through their journey.

• 18:00: Introduction and opening remarks by Rector Sunniva Whittaker
• 18:15-18:45: Interviews with student at risk
• 18:45: Discussion panel with: Hector Ulloa, leader of SAIH, Solidarity organization of students and academics in Norway.; Tererai Obey Sithole, Previous student activist in Zimbabwe, current PhD Research Fellow at the Department of Global Development and Planning at UiA; Claire Despierre, Director of DU Passerelle, a higher education support program for displaced persons at University of Bourgogne.

UiA is organizing and coordinating this event on behalf of the FORTHEM alliance, and in close collaboration with . The event is part of Democracy Week 2023, which runs alongside the European Conference on Democracy and Human Rights in Kristiansand. All students and staff are welcome to attend this event which will be held in English and will include a Q&A session.

Registration:

Whether you are attending one or both of those events, physically or digitally, we ask you to please register your attendance. You will receive a reminder and the live streaming links the day before.

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