College Freedom Forum

The College Freedom Forum (CFF) brings critical conversations about human rights and the dangers of authoritarianism to universities around the world.

About CFF

CFF is a series of university-based forums created by the Human Rights Foundation to amplify the work of dissidents, journalists, artists, and policy thinkers operating under authoritarian regimes. Through presentations and dialogue, the program equips the next generation of scholars and civic leaders with knowledge, insight, and inspiration.

CFF serves as a platform to connect university students with prominent advocates for democracy, freedom of expression, and justice. It offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with international issues while forming direct connections with frontline activists and thinkers.

How it all began - Sherman Teichman

I worked with HRF to create the first HRF College Freedom Forum, a joint initiative of the HRF and the Institute for Global Leadership. It was convened at Tufts in November 2013.

On February 20, 2019, together we convened the first citywide College Freedom Forum in Boston at Harvard with the invaluable help of the Harvard International Relations Council and then IRC’s President, Eliza Rebellion Ennis. The event featured opening remarks from Steven Pinker; talks from the vocally anti-Erdogan Turkish NBA player Enes Kanter, female genital mutilation activist Leyla Hussein, Syrian citizen-journalist Abdalaziz Alhamza, Chinese-Canadian dissident Ti-anna Wang; and a remarkable performance by Venezuelan violinist and street protester Wuilly Arteaga. The audience included invited students from many of the twenty-four campuses across Greater Boston. For more on the success of the College Freedom Forum, see our After Action Report.

This initial effort has laid the foundation for a recurring program in Boston. This April 2025, there will be another gathering as part of the "Democracy on the Brink" symposium, an Initiative for Global Leadership forum directed by my long-time IGL Assistant Director, Heather Barry, now the Special Adviser for Global Strategy at Tisch College of Civic Life.

The HRF has since organized College Freedom Forums with Yale University, Stanford University, and Universidad Francisco Marroquín, among others.

2025 College Freedom Forum at Tufts: Voices of Resistance and Hope

On a powerful day of reflection, resistance, and dialogue, the College Freedom Forum (CFF) brought together a remarkable coalition of global human rights defenders, students, and educators at Tufts University. Produced by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) in partnership with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, IGL, and The Trebuchet, the forum highlighted some of the most urgent human rights challenges in authoritarian regimes and uplifted the voices of those courageously working to confront them.On a powerful day of reflection, resistance, and dialogue, the College Freedom Forum (CFF) brought together a remarkable coalition of global human rights defenders, students, and educators at Tufts University. Produced by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) in partnership with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, IGL, and The Trebuchet, the forum highlighted some of the most urgent human rights challenges in authoritarian regimes and uplifted the voices of those courageously working to confront them.

Featured Keynote Speakers

The forum featured compelling testimonies and stories from globally recognized activists:

  • Faisal Al Mutar – Founder of Ideas Beyond Borders, survivor of sectarian violence in Iraq, and advocate for knowledge access in authoritarian contexts.

  • Jewher Ilham – Advocate for Uyghur rights and daughter of imprisoned scholar Ilham Tohti. Her work spotlights forced labor and international advocacy for the Uyghur community.

  • Hanna Liubakova – Belarusian journalist and analyst reporting on developments in Belarusian civil resistance.

  • Félix Maradiaga – Nicaraguan political activist and former prisoner of conscience, advocating for democracy and the rule of law.

  • Lobsang Sangay – Former President of the Central Tibetan Administration and senior fellow at Harvard Law School.

  • DJ Switch (Obianuju Catherine Udeh) – Nigerian artist and activist known for her leadership in the #EndSARS movement and use of music to protest injustice.

Program Overview

Opening Session (10:00–11:15 AM)
Speakers shared personal journeys and advocacy efforts in the face of repression, introduced by Elle Ota (HRF) and Dayna Cunningham (Dean, Tisch College). Speakers included Faisal Al Mutar, Jewher Ilham, and Félix Maradiaga.

Session II (11:30 AM–12:30 PM)
Featured remarks from Tufts student Nica Gojan and HRF’s Sherman Teichman, followed by talks from DJ Switch, Hanna Liubakova, and Lobsang Sangay. The session closed with reflections from Liz Selbherd and Grace Spalding-Fecher (HRF).

Panel Discussions

  • Voices of Resistance: The Reality of Human Rights Advocacy (2:00–3:15 PM)
    Moderated by Eleanor Shackne-Martello, with Faisal Al Mutar and Lobsang Sangay

  • The Dictator’s Playbook: Strategies of Repression and Resistance (3:15–4:30 PM)
    Moderated by Ariadna Condezo Trinidad, featuring Jewher Ilham, Hanna Liubakova, and Félix Maradiaga

Breakout Sessions & Reception (4:30–6:00 PM)
Dinner followed at Breed Memorial Hall.