Charta Academic Democracy

The Board of the Swiss Association for Gender Studies (SAGS) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of academic democracy. In recent decades, these values  – enshrined in frameworks such as the Swiss Constitution – seemed irrevocable. Yet today, they face profound and systematic challenges across the world, including within Switzerland and, alarmingly, within academic institutions themselves. At a time when anti-democratic tendencies are gaining ground, we believe it is imperative to reaffirm and actively uphold the foundational principles of equality, freedom, and democratic participation in scholarly life. With this charter, we seek not only to articulate these commitments but also to open a space for dialogue and concrete action – toward the defense of academic integrity, social justice, and democratic engagement in higher education and beyond.