In a world where authoritarianism is on the rise, polarization is deepening, and disinformation is spreading, the role of universities as spaces for critical inquiry, debate, the pursuit of truth and protection of democracy is more vital—and more vulnerable—than ever. Academic freedom is under increasing threat throughout the Americas, from censorship and political interference to violence against scholars and students.
CAFA is pleased to present the Fourth Conference on Academic Freedom in the Americas (#CAFA2025) at the Universidad de Monterrey, in Mexico, that will be held on October 21, 2025. The conference is co-hosted by CAFA and the Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM), with support from Scholars at Risk (SAR), and the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa.
The panelists will discuss the real-world impacts of threats to academic freedom, review legal and policy approaches across the region, and consider how rising anti-science sentiment affects both research and the broader public. The conference will also highlight the many ways people and institutions are responding—from advocacy efforts to grassroots movements—as we work together toward lasting, positive change.
The conference will also be broadcast live as a webinar on the Zoom platform.*
*Simultaneous interpretation in English, Spanish, and Portuguese will be available online.
Tentative program
Here is a preview of the day’s program. The final program will be available for download at a later time.
Please note that times in the program are set to Monterrey (Mexico).
8:45 | Institutional opening
9:00 | Keynote address
10:00 | Panel #1 — Academic freedom under attack: Impact and protection strategies
11:30 | Coffee break
12:00 | Panel #2 — Academic freedom legislative landscape in the Americas
13:00 | Lunch break
14:30 | Panel #3 — Academic freedom and science denialism
16:00 | Coffee break
16:15 | Panel #4 — Modes of resistance and change
17:30 | Closing remarks
About CAFA
The Coalition for Academic Freedom in the Americas (CAFA) is a non-governmental and not-for-profit network, created in 2021, headquartered at the University of Monterrey (UDEM), Mexico. It was founded by Scholars at Risk, UDEM, and the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa.
Its membership spans across the hemisphere, having established institutional relations with key partners from national and international settings. CAFA seeks the promotion, protection, and respect for academic freedom and university autonomy, with the goal of developing relevant human rights standards that serve to protect educational spaces, leverage human rights and strengthen democratic principles in the Americas.