“Academics are responsible for gathering, processing and distributing information, which are tasks necessary for building stable, prosperous and democratic societies,” Koïchiro Matsuura, the UNESCO’s Japanese director-general, said.

“We need to preserve the universality of research, exchange and learning, and support all joint academic activities that foster the sharing of experiences and expertise,” he added.

Academic work and institutions are centred on the free flow of ideas and knowledge, which is the core of all intellectual activity, he said.

“If we are serious about the need to promote sustained peace, democracy and development, I believe that we have the moral responsibility to share knowledge and promote understanding,” the UNESCO chief said, noting that cooperation among the world’s university is a necessity, not a luxury.

“We must therefore continue to support all efforts within civil societies to nurture contacts in the spirit of respect and mutual understanding which characterize peaceful relations.”

The University and College Union (UCU), Britain’s largest trade union for academics, voted May 30 to back calls for a boycott of Israeli universities in protest against the treatment of Palestinians.

The request for the boycott is current being circulated to all local Union branches for discussion.