Appel de l’Université catholique d’Ukraine à la communauté mondiale des universitaires et des chercheurs

Lviv, 4 mars 2022

Un des quatre objectifs principaux de l’enseignement supérieur est de « préparer les étudiants à un rôle actif en tant que citoyens dans les sociétés démocratiques » (Conseil de l’Europe). Nous sommes en droit de dire que le système éducatif et scientifique russe  a délibérément failli à sa mission !

One of the four primary aims of higher education is “preparation for life as active citizens in democratic societies (Council of Europe) . We have a right to say that the Russian system of education and science  deliberately failed this mission!

APPEAL OF UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY TO THE GLOBAL ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH COMMUNITY

Today is the 9th day of the blatant military invasion of Russian aggressor into Ukraine and the 9th year of the war Russia started in 2014. This aggression is strongly supported by Belarus. The international isolation of the Russian Federation is increasing, with representatives of different industries and professions. The world refuses to cooperate with an aggressor-state that violates all the basic norms of a civilized community in all areas. Education and science must not be an exception.

For many years the scholars from Russia have benefited from various international research and internship grant programs provided by the Western democracies. Sadly, «return on investment» was used to strengthen and solidify Putin’s anti-democratic regime. Consummation of financial means without appropriation of the civic values and virtues is a manifestly unambiguous sign of the Russian academic community’s complicity with the regime. The shocking silence of a vast majority of the scholars in Russia in view of Russian invasion in Ukraine and the war crimes committed by the Russian army cannot be justified by any human and ethical standards. To willingly remaining silent and passive in view of atrocities and suffering inflicted by the Russian Government on the innocent civilian population of Ukraine makes Russian academia equally responsible for the crimes against humanity. Sadly, the Belorussian scholars also remain silent observers of Russia’s crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Their support of the actions of the Lukashenko regime as well as silent contemplation of the Russian invasion is also a crime.

We believe that the academic community should lead by example and show an adequate reaction to Russia’s barbaric actions. We have to unite as a world to stand against aggression. Academia should be based on the values of honesty, justice, and respect for rights and freedoms of others. We are convinced that intellectuals and scholars have a special responsibility for peace, freedom and the prevention of dictatorship!

Dear Partners and Friends,

We deeply appreciate your attention, partnership and continuous support!

Yours sincerely,

Rectorate and Operating Group,
Ukrainian Catholic University,
The Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Center,
Lviv – 79026, Ukraine