Brussels (Belgium), April 8th 2025 | Education remains one of the most powerful tools for fostering free and democratic societies. At OIDEL, the Organisation Internationale pour le Droit à l’Éducation et la Liberté d’Enseignement, the defense and promotion of freedom of education is central to our mission. Today, however, this fundamental right is increasingly under threat across the world—including in Europe—due to ideological interference, political pressures, and disinformation.
To address these growing challenges, OIDEL joined forces with the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies – Think tank of the European Popular Party- to organize a high-level event in Brussels under the title: “Educational Pluralism: Why is this relevant for the EU?” Held on April 8, 2025, the event brought together leading experts from both Europe and the United States to examine the current global trends in educational freedom and to present two major reports: The Freedom of Education Index, produced with FUNCIVA, and Trends in Freedom of Education Worldwide: Analysis of its Enablers and Relationship with Social Mobility and Equity, published in collaboration with CEU-CEFAS.
These studies reveal that educational systems which embrace pluralism and diversity are more likely to promote equity, innovation, and democratic resilience. The discussions emphasized the vital role of parents in shaping the value-based aspects of their children’s education—such as moral, philosophical, or religious teachings—while reaffirming that academic disciplines must be entrusted to educational professionals. Participants also warned of the increasing influence of disinformation and ideological agendas that undermine the very notion of shared truth. In response, they called for renewed investment in fact-based education that cultivates critical thinking and civic responsibility.
The principle of subsidiarity, as established in the European Treaties, was highlighted as an essential mechanism for maintaining diversity within national education systems while respecting individual freedoms at the local level. Finally, speakers underscored that Europe must play a leading role in safeguarding the right to education not only domestically, but also through its international cooperation and aid strategies.
The event featured powerful insights from Miriam Lexmann, Member of the European Parliament (EPP), Ignasi Grau Callizo, Director of OIDEL, Professor Jan De Groof of Bologna University, Ashley Berner, Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, and Gonzalo Sanz-Magallón Rezusta, Honorary Professor at CEU-CEFAS. The panel was moderated by Peter Hefele, Policy Director at the Wilfried Martens Centre.
Drawing from the rich discussion, the Wilfried Martens Centre will develop policy recommendations to support educational freedom across the European Union.