Venice – ESI discusses academic freedom in South East Europe

Venice. Photo: flickr/Pedro Szekely

Adnan Ćerimagić, ESI senior analyst, took part in the seminar “Protecting and Promoting Academic Freedom in South East Europe: A Human Rights-Based Analysis of Challenges and Solutions”, organised by the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice on 15 July 2026.

The discussion brought together experts to examine the state of academic freedom in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. The webinar explored both the legal protections for university autonomy and the practical challenges posed by political interference, state capture, clientelism, and restrictions on institutional independence.

Adnan joined online Anida Gjurgjiali, policy analyst at the Global Campus Policy Observatory, and professor Dejan Pavlović of the University of Belgrade to discuss the broader implications of academic freedom for democracy, the rule of law, and the European integration process in the Western Balkans.

Drawing on ESI’s research, Adnan highlighted the importance of protecting independent institutions and strengthening the rule of law as essential foundations for democratic societies and credible EU enlargement. He also discussed the role that the European Union and other international organisations can play in monitoring academic freedom and supporting reforms that reinforce institutional autonomy and democratic resilience across the region.

ESI continues to contribute to debates on democracy, the rule of law, and European integration in the Western Balkans.

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• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI background: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”