This year's conference took place under the theme Pathways to Implementing the Right to Academic Freedom across the Americas and convened specialists, academics, students, and civil society organizations from across Canada, the United States, and South America.
The gathering addressed a critical moment for higher education: despite the 2021 launch of the Inter-American Principles on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy, the sector continues to face growing threats. Discussions highlighted how science denialism, misinformation, and disinformation increasingly create oppressive environments for academics and students working to evaluate government policies, share ideas, and address pressing societal challenges.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from leadership representing the University of Ottawa, the HRREC, and CAFA, followed by a keynote address by Robert Quinn, Executive Director of Scholars at Risk.
Framed around key thematic axes, the two-day program addressed essential dimensions of academic freedom in the Americas. Participants explored legal pathways to enforce academic rights, examined the impact of gender justice on scholarly expression, and evaluated concrete frameworks to protect threatened scholars. Additional sessions spotlighted the vital role of student activists in defending open discourse, alongside grassroots strategies designed to resist growing ideological and institutional pressures across the region.
The participants left the conference with renewed strategies to defend university autonomy, protect scholars at risk, and advance academic freedom as a cornerstone of democratic societies.
The conference organization was spearheaded by Associate Director Viviana Fernandez—who also served as the Master of Ceremonies—and Communications Specialist Caroline Faucher. The event's scientific committee included HRREC Director Penelope Simons alongside HRREC Member and CAFA Legal Advisor Salvador Herencia-Carrasco, who also contributed as a panel presenter.
Our Centre was honoured to reconnect with longstanding partners, colleagues and friends. We were also grateful for the beautiful autumn weather in Ottawa, which provided a colorful backdrop as we welcomed participants from across South America, the United States, and Canada.