This commitment to the pursuit of truth gives universities all over the work their universal values and enables them to embark on the important paths of regional and international co-operation, which are so important to the vitality of the modern university. In affirming the value of academic freedom, the Conference participants recognize that universities themselves have a responsibility to nurture academic freedom within their own communities. Similarly, governments and the public must respect the rights of universities to serve as centres of completely free inquiry and of social criticism. As part of this revitalised understanding with society, universities recognize their obligation to demonstrate to decision-makers and to the public at large the value of their enterprise. Specifically, universities must develop convincing mechanisms of evaluation which demonstrate their quality and effectiveness.
Universities have an obligation to speak out against all kinds of intolerant behaviour.
This obligation takes on particular urgency in light of the forces recently unleashed in Europe and elsewhere in the world. To reaffirm the values of tolerance and the primacy of peaceful solutions is not to ignore the significance of different cultural traditions but to promote mutual understanding and co-operation. Without them, there can be no civilised life at all, let along any role for the university.