The European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU), the leading institutional network for more than 200 open distance and traditional universities, offering online degree programs and continuing education, expresses its deepest solidarity with all those affected by the Russian invasion of the sovereign state of Ukraine.

Despite the destruction of large parts of the Ukrainian infrastructure, this crisis must not affect the continuity of education and research at Ukrainian universities. Teachers and researchers must be protected and supported in their efforts to provide opportunities for students to continue their education in openness, respect and mutual understanding.

For centuries, cooperation and exchange with all universities in the world has been part of the mission of European universities, which is once again challenged by war. EADTU welcomes further cooperation in education with both Ukraine and Russia to engage students in building societies under peace and tolerance.

We urge all parties to work to ensure that our fundamental values prevail, including respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

We hope that this will lead to a swift end to the war and the beginning of a peaceful and sustainable coexistence of Russia and the European region and the emancipation of humanity.

On behalf of the EADTU Supervisory Board,

Rector Ricardo Mairal,
President EADTU

02 March 2022