The following organizations work on issues related to international scholarship and academic freedom.
The AAAS Science and Human Rights Program was established in 1977 to give scientists a way to help their colleagues around the world whose human rights are threatened or violated. Mobilizing effective assistance to protect the human rights of scientists around the world remains central to its mission, as well as making the tools and knowledge of science available to benefit the field of human rights.
The Institute of International Education, an independent non-profit organization, was founded in 1919. The Institute administers more than 200 programs serving more than 20,000 individuals each year.
The Network for Education and Academic Rights (NEAR) is a membership-based, non-governmental organization committed to human rights and academic freedom. Since its beginnings in June 2001, NEAR has established a clearing house of information on academic freedom and education rights. It receives reports of academic rights violations from its member organizations and credible media sources and posts the information as alerts on the NEAR Web site, to bring public pressure against the governments involved in the violations.
The Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) is an international network of universities and colleges working to promote academic freedom and to defend the human rights of scholars worldwide. SAR works to arrange short-term, emergency visits to Network member institutions in the US and abroad for scholars who suffer because of their work, prominence, or exercise of their basic human rights.
SAR also organizes lectures, panels and conferences to educate the public about attacks on academic freedom and undertakes research and advocacy aimed at deterring attacks on academic communities everywhere.
This specialized United Nations agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded in 1945. Today, UNESCO functions as a laboratory of ideas and a standard-setter to forge universal agreements on emerging ethical issues. The organization also serves as a clearinghouse – for the dissemination and sharing of information and knowledge – while helping Member States to build their human and institutional capacities in diverse fields. UNESCO is working to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture