Statement on the Israeli‑Hamas war

"We all hope that the war will end, and we are horrified by the human suffering it causes. When all other avenues are closed, universities must take responsibility through "academic diplomacy". This means, among other things, helping individual researchers, for example within Scholars at Risk, but it also means continuing to keep education and research going and working in collaborations that strengthen democratic thoughts," says Vice-Chancellor Anders Fällström.

At several universities around the country, manifestations are taking place with a connection to the war, but so far there are no manifestations at Mid Sweden University. 

Vice-Chancellor Anders Fällström. Photo: Marlene Berg.

"I welcome all types of demonstrations, as long as they are peaceful and follow democratic principles, but if any staff or student should feel threatened or worried, it is important to know that we take it very seriously. In that case, you should not hesitate to contact your immediate manager or teacher, and in addition, there is of course support to be obtained from occupational health care or the student health service," says Anders Fällström.

The statement from SUHF is published in its entirety further down and has also been reproduced by several other universities. The statement reads, among other things:
"Sweden's higher education institutions underline the importance of, and their ambition to, protect freedom of expression and academic freedom. Peaceful demonstrations in legal forms are the right of every member of society, and students and staff at universities and colleges also have the right to express their opinions.

Swedish universities and colleges are not tasked with, and do not have the mandate to pursue foreign policy issues. This means that neither employees, students nor interest groups can expect universities and colleges, as employers or education providers, to manifest foreign policy views or take a stand on foreign policy issues. Academia must be free from pressure."

Mid Sweden University currently has no agreements with Israeli higher education institutions and in general, every agreement with a foreign university is assessed on the basis of a number of parameters in order to achieve and maintain responsible internationalisation.

"Safeguarding academic collaboration also means standing up for the fact that individual researchers have the freedom to decide for themselves how, and with whom, they collaborate under the laws and regulations laid down by the Riksdag and the Government. Sometimes this means that they also operate in regions where there is war or conflict," says Anders Fällström. 

In its statement, SUHF states that "difficult trade-offs are made on the basis of the checklist that SUHF has prepared for responsible internationalisation: Global Responsible Engagement: Checklist".

Here you can read SUHF's statement.