StAR – The Students at Risk

The Students at Risk (StAR) project is a global initiative that supports students and scholars facing political persecution, conflict, or threats to their academic freedom. It promotes the EU fundamental right to academic freedom through advocacy, research, capacity building, summer schools, and network development. By collaborating with universities, organisations, and student groups, the project raises awareness, strengthens national initiatives, and provides safe academic opportunities for displaced or at-risk individuals, helping ensure their protection, inclusion, and continued access to higher education. The StAR project is coordinated by ESU with the support of GSF, SAIH, UniPD and UNITN as partners.

The upcoming ESU seminar on Students at Risk (StAR) and Academic Freedom will take place in Brussels from May 11–13, 2026, serving as a pivotal introductory space for National Unions of Students (NUSes) to engage with human rights and international policy. The event will gather student representatives from countries facing democratic backsliding or hosting exiled students to analyze risk patterns and design concrete advocacy actions. Over six specialized sessions featuring scholars at risk, human rights NGOs, and Brussels-based policy actors, participants will explore academic freedom from a student perspective, ultimately contributing vital input toward national initiatives and the development of a comprehensive European advocacy toolkit.