An important principle is that scientists should be able to clarify and criticize scientific research, not only in their own institution, but also on a national as well as international level. To promote academic freedom it is not only important, but also necessary, for the global North to adjust to make sure that the global South has sufficient access to get involved and to affect the global development of knowledge on the same terms. For this to succeed, the global North needs to appreciate and listen to for example local knowledge systems which are of particular relevance to indigenous people’s academic rights. It will also be necessary for the global North and South to share and also criticize each other’s knowledge. One approach to improve the availability of scientific research is “Open Access”, which deals with making scientific publications freely accessible on the World Wide Web. The author or originator keeps the legal rights to the publication, but gives the receiver the permission to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search within or link to the full text without demanding compensation