Academic Freedom Conference: “Problems and Challenges in Arab and African Countries”
Keywords:
Academic, Freedom, Conference, Problems, Challenges, Arab , African CountriesSynopsis
There is no doubt that academic freedom is a complex concept that cannot be analyzed from one perspective or within a unified context. Although there is almost a consensus among academicians and social scientists about the definition of this concept as being the freedom to undertake teaching and research in a free and unrestricted
manner and the ability to publish research findings without fear of political and social consequences, the interpretation of this concept has been different in various social and political contexts. This is largely dependent on or linked to the general freedoms prevailing in national political systems. In democratic systems of government, academic freedom is usually guaranteed even if the state is totally financing the academic system.
However, in non-democratic systems, this freedom is frequently restricted and often infringed upon, particularly if messages conveyed by academicians and researchers are not in line or in conformity with the political philosophy or orientations of the ruling governments. In this case, the source of funding does not really count or have an impact
on the level of restrictions or infringements imposed since private and public institutions are equal.
Academic institutions, in a good number of Arab and African countries, have been struggling during their post independence eras to gain academic freedom and institutional autonomy which they consider important not only for playing their role as a watchdog for society but also for nations to construct knowledge societies in which knowledge generation, dissemination, and application are the decisive factors involved. In any context where academic freedom is restricted or limited, the ability of academicians and researchers to produce and use knowledge for the welfare of society is impeded. From the presentations delivered at the conference, it was clear that the political systems in certain Arab and African contexts, in spite of some relaxed polices in a number of countries, are not yet conducive to full fledged academic freedom. Even inemerging democratic systems, academic freedom still suffers from various types of restrictions and infringements by the state.
Chapters
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Academic Freedom Conference“Problems and Challenges in Arab and African Countries”
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Social and Human Sciences and Academic Freedom: Historiographic Practices in Algeria and the Arab World.
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From Dictatorship to Democracy: Nature and Evolution of Academic Freedoms in Mali
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The Struggle for Academic Freedom in the Palestinian Occupied Territories
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EVER CHANGING CONTEST: THE STRUGGLE FOR ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND ITS REPERCUSSION IN NIGERIA, 1985-2005
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Communication Revolution and Academic Freedom
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Academic Freedom and the Right to Publish
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Globalisation and Academic Freedom
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Globalisation and Academic Freedom in Cameroon with Focus on the Anglo-Saxon University of Buea
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Published
August 27, 2006
Series
Copyright (c) 2006 CODESRIA Books Publication System
