Rector Kaarlo Hildén: It’s important that everyone can find Uniarts Helsinki a safe environment
People at Uniarts Helsinki are currently deeply worried about the growing number of civilian victims in the Middle East, the escalation of the humanitarian crisis and polarisation of the discourse concerning the conflict.
We condemn all violence, especially war crimes and terrorism against civilians. Our university community has members who have loved ones, colleagues or other networks in the conflict area. Sadness and distress over one’s loved ones is always justified, regardless of which side of the conflict they are.
On a general level, the demand that the university would take a clear stance on societal issues is not simple. Inherently, we are a community with a plurality of values and opinions, and we must safeguard each member’s opportunity to study and work in a safe atmosphere. Often, it is not possible to establish a single position as a university, and we do not have a process to do so. Universities have had and will have an important role as communities, as third-party spaces where differences of opinion are not only tolerated but supported.
All of us have the right to a safe learning and work environment
Recently, we have drawn attention to building a safe learning and work environment, for example by reminding the community of counselling support offered by the university chaplain and mental health services and of the responsible use of email lists.
I have been informed that uniarts email lists have been used to distribute political appeals. The right of the entire community to a safe learning and working environment has not been realised in these situations. It is important to remember that the university is a non-religious and non-political organisation, and the use of email lists for political activities is only permitted in university elections and in the activities of student organisations related to the student union or in trade union activities.
It is important that everyone can find Uniarts Helsinki a safe environment, regardless of what each person’s personal background and relationship to these crises is. Human tragedies and suffering touch us all.
Our task as a university is to build peace and to offer sustainable solutions for achieving that through research. We approach this task with determination. Art and artistic research have their own important role in shaping the dialogue between values, attitudes and cultures.
Kind regards,
Kaarlo Hildén
Rector
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