Webinar Recording: Global Solidarity, Learning, and Action to Renew Higher Education’s Democratic and Civic Mission

Posted by Netter Center for Community Partnerships on April 21, 2026

The recording of the 9 April 2026 webinar, “Global Solidarity, Learning, and Action to Renew Higher Education’s Democratic and Civic Mission,” is now publicly available.

This timely webinar, convened by the Global Cooperation for the Democratic Mission of Higher Education, examined how higher education can renew its democratic and civic mission amid growing geopolitical pressure, distrust in institutions, and threats to academic freedom.

Speakers emphasized that universities are essential for a democratic society. They play a critical role in cultivating ethical, engaged citizens and producing knowledge for the public good. Across regions, participants highlighted increasing challenges which threaten both universities and democracy itself.

Panelists recommended concrete steps forward, including:

• safeguarding academic freedom and institutional autonomy as human rights;
• expressing the collective voice of higher education through associations, networks, and coalitions, inclusive of cross-sector partners;
• embedding democratic values into teaching, research, and learning;
• employing humanities and the arts as essential democratic tools;
• helping universities function as democratic institutions at all levels, including work with communities;
• moving civic engagement from the periphery to a core institutional priority;
• advancing the co-production of knowledge with community partners;
• reimagining curricula and promotion systems to recognize publicly and community engaged scholarship;
• ensuring equity, inclusion, and democratic participation, especially for immigrant and historically excluded populations;
• strengthening universities’ role as democratic anchor institutions, working with partners to address shared societal challenges in local communities;
• increasing global collaboration, rooted in shared purpose and values and aligned with democratic goals.

The session concluded by calling on universities and associations to learn together and act in solidarity — in order to advance democracy on our campuses, in our local communities, and the wider society.  

The Global Cooperation for the Democratic Mission of Higher Education is committed to continuing and advancing these conversations.

Watch the recording here.