Every day, people arrive in Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia, fleeing the war in Ukraine to save their own lives and those of their families. Their flight is driven by the need to escape the attacks in their homeland. Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and takes a clear stand against the war: Russia’s actions in Ukraine constitute a violation of international law.
Given its international focus, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences sees itself as having a special role to play. The HSRW not only promotes international academic discourse, but has also enshrined in its mission statement a commitment to contributing to mutual understanding between cultures in an interconnected world:
- Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences also regards active internationalism as a responsibility towards the people who come to our region, to Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort. Mutual respect and tolerance are a matter of course for us. There is no place here for discrimination, defamation or insults. Against the backdrop of armed conflicts, it must be expressly emphasised that this applies in particular with regard to membership of certain groups or nations. We are committed to this.
- As a university with deep roots in the region, we have a responsibility to the public to inform, discuss and identify solutions. In doing so, we draw on our specialist expertise and our day-to-day experiences in an international environment. We organise (specialist) lectures to contextualise current events and exchange views.
- Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is committed to working with partners in the region – including towns and districts, associations and businesses – to foster a climate of tolerance and mutual respect, integration and the search for shared perspectives for the people who come to us.
- In accordance with the recommendations of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), all institutional cooperation with universities in Russia has been suspended. Joint projects with institutions and public officials who support the Russian war in Ukraine will not be continued. At the same time, the university recognises that academics and students in Russia who publicly express their opposition to the war and consequently face the threat of persecution are in need of support. The university is also aware of its responsibility towards these people and wishes to remain in dialogue with them – in the spirit of science diplomacy.
- Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is open to offering information, advice and study programmes to people seeking support and new opportunities here. We all extend a warm welcome to them! They can contact us via the email address ukraine@hochschule-rhein-waal.de to discuss individual support options.
As an academic institution, we recognise that the crises and opportunities in this world are interconnected, and that the reasons why people are fleeing also pose major challenges for Germany and Europe – not only in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. The plight of people who are fleeing – or have fled in recent years – from war and persecution in the world’s crisis-hit regions calls upon us, the members of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, to fulfil our public, social and individual responsibilities.
Further information: Measures taken by the university in response to the war in Ukraine
