Strategic meeting held in Rio de Janeiro brought together universities, academic networks, and civil society organizations to define a regional roadmap toward CRES 2028.
The Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas (CAFA), in partnership with the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), convened the Strategic Meeting for the Development of a Regional Hosting Ecosystem for At-Risk educators in Latin America, bringing together representatives from universities, academic networks, human rights organizations, and experts from across the region.
The meeting provided a space for dialogue, the exchange of experiences, and collective planning to address one of the major challenges facing higher education in Latin America: developing coordinated responses to protect and host educators at risk while strengthening academic freedom, democracy, and human rights.
One of the meeting’s main outcomes was the development of a regional agenda leading up to the 2028 Regional Conference on Higher Education (CRES). Participants agreed on the need to advance toward a regional ecosystem grounded in cooperation, solidarity, and shared responsibility among universities, higher education networks, international organizations, and civil society organizations.
Commitments to strengthen a regional hosting ecosystem
The agreed agenda identifies five strategic priorities for the coming years: expanding political and public recognition of hosting initiatives as a key mechanism for protecting academic freedom; strengthening universities’ institutional capacities to receive and support individuals at risk; promoting sustainable funding mechanisms; incorporating hosting initiatives into a solidarity-based vision of the internationalization of higher education; and consolidating regional coordination and cooperation mechanisms among participating institutions.
The meeting also reaffirmed that academic freedom must be understood as a fundamental human right, inseparable from the defense of democracy, scientific integrity, non-discrimination, and the social responsibility of universities. Discussions further emphasized the importance of integrating gender, racial, and intersectional perspectives, as well as recognizing the diversity of knowledge systems across Latin America.
As next steps, CAFA will strengthen regional partnerships, support the development of pilot hosting initiatives, promote institutional commitments, deepen collaboration with international organizations and funding agencies, and advance research on the risks faced by academic communities across the region.
“This meeting marks an important step toward consolidating a regional response to the growing deterioration of conditions for the exercise of academic freedom in Latin America. Building permanent hosting and protection mechanisms represents a collective commitment to more supportive, democratic universities that are committed to human rights and the production of knowledge with scientific integrity,” said Camilla Croso, Executive Director of CAFA.