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The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki will host the SAR Global Congress 2027 from 15 to 17 June 2027 (https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/event/save-the-date-2027-sar-global-congress-june-15-17-2027).
The international network “Scholars at Risk/SAR” has more than 550 members (mainly University institutions) in 42 countries around the world and is a very strong, global movement that provides assistance and support to academics facing all kinds of risk (e.g. displacement due to war, persecution due to their academic work, threats to their freedom or even their lives), offering safe spaces at collaborating universities.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was the first Greek University member of the SAR Network. With coordinated actions since 2018, in October 2021 the establishment of the Greek section of the SAR network (SAR Greece section, https://scholarsatrisk.ionio.gr/gr/) was achieved with founding members, at that time, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Ionian University, the University of the Aegean and the University of Thessaly. The SAR Greece Section operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.
Supporting academics “at risk” is an obligation of HEIs within the framework of the fundamental academic values they serve, of academic freedom, unhindered research activity, the enrichment of research and teaching, and academic excellence. Furthermore, it gives Greek HEIs the opportunity to access funding from the EU and other (public or private) bodies for hosting academics “at risk”, highlighting the extroversion of the institutions and their international recognition.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as the presiding University of SAR Greece, coordinates the actions to support academics and researchers from various countries (most recently from Ukraine). In this context, there is regular communication and information with the respective Deputy Minister of Education on Higher Education issues and significant actions have been taken towards the creation of a national scholarship program for researchers at risk. At the same time, SAR Greece is looking for alternative ways of funding (e.g. from the Universities’ own resources or private bodies) to create temporary positions for persecuted/threatened academics in Greek HEIs. Since its establishment, SAR Greece has regularly informed the Rectors of the Universities during the Rectors' Conference Meetings. The response is always very positive. In fact, in the conclusions of the 106th Rectors' Meeting, in July 2024, the need to support the actions of the Universities-members of Scholars at Risk with the support and cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Hellenic Republic of Greece was clearly emphasized.
The decision to organize the SAR Global Congress 2027 at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the support of the Rector's office is an international recognition of the contribution of the Greek Universities-members of SAR Greece in the practical defense of academic freedom and their leading role in South-Eastern Europe. We extend an open call to all Greek universities to actively participate in the Conference and to support the Greek section of Scholars at Risk (SAR Greece). The active contribution of the Greek academic community is crucial for the defense of academic freedom and the practical support of threatened scientists through the implementation of a national scholarship program with the support of the Ministry of National Defense and the Hellenic State Fund.
Contact:
Alexandros Triantafyllidis
Professor, Department of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Institutional representative of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in the international Scholars at Risk Network (SAR)
Head of the SAR Greece Section
mail: sar2027auth@auth.gr
Programme (in Greek)
