MCI Hosts International Conference on Academic Freedom

“European Student Advocacy” Conference at MCI Brings Students, Faculty and Experts to Innsbruck | International Exchange on Democracy, Responsibility and Solidarity

Around 90 students, faculty members, representatives of international partner institutions and experts accepted the invitation of MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® to attend the “SAR European Student Advocacy Days 2026” in Innsbruck. The two-day conference, organized in cooperation with the international network Scholars at Risk (SAR), underscores the role of universities as spaces for free research, critical thinking and social responsibility, placing academic freedom, democratic accountability and international collaboration at the forefront.

Dialogue on Democracy and Academic Freedom

The diverse program included keynote lectures, presentations, workshops, case studies and excursions that addressed current challenges to democracy and academic freedom from both European and global perspectives.

Speakers included Othmar Karas, President of the European Forum Alpbach and former Vice-President of the European Parliament, Oleksandr Shtokvych from Central European University, and Ugandan gender researcher Stella Nyanzi. An excursion led by Dirk Rupnow from the University of Innsbruck also highlighted the historical responsibility of higher education institutions, creating a reflective bridge between past and present.

In addition, dedicated students from around the world presented their advocacy projects in support of imprisoned and threatened scholars, demonstrating how commitment to human rights can be combined with academic analysis, practical orientation and the development of future competencies.

Regina Obexer, Head of the MCI Center for Responsible Management & Social Impact, and Belachew Gebrewold, Head of the Department of Social Work, emphasize: “The European Student Advocacy Days have impressively demonstrated how students combine academic knowledge with social responsibility. This commitment represents lived internationality and democratic participation. We would like to thank all contributors, especially Clare Robinson and Adam Braver from Scholars at Risk, for the trusting and professional collaboration.”

MCI Rector Andreas Altmann adds: “Academic freedom is the foundation for innovation, research & development and entrepreneurial thinking, and it is indispensable for a society worth living in. As an internationally active university, we see it as our mission not only to provide students with academic excellence, but also to raise their awareness of their responsibility within society.”

MCI in the International SAR Network

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network dedicated to the promotion of academic freedom. MCI has been an active member of the SAR network since 2021 and regularly organizes Student Advocacy seminars as part of the master’s program in Social Work, Social Policy & Management. In these seminars, students engage with concrete cases of persecuted scholars and develop practice-oriented support strategies.