The NRW Ministry for Culture and Science on 2 March 2022 met with representatives of the universities and other research institutions, of students, university hospitals and student services organisations to discuss the current situation relating to the war of aggression by Russia on Ukraine and its impact on science and research.
All participants agreed on the following joint declaration: The universities in the State and non-university research institutions are called upon to critically examine scientific cooperations and relations with Russia and Russian institutions and to suspend them until further notice. The decision is in line with declarations by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the alliance of science organisations in Germany.
“The Russian assault on Ukraine is a critical watershed in the history of Europe. This blatant breach of international law has no justification. Freedom and peace are indispensable prerequisites for scientific interaction and cooperation. Together with representatives of the universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, we have, therefore, agreed today to suspend academic activities and cooperations with Russian institutions. We all regret this step very much, but there is currently no real alternative”, says Science Minister Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen.
The NRW Ministry for Culture and Science, the chairpersons of the state …read more
