Ukraine: education union solidarity

Over the past three weeks there have been many civilian deaths and injuries and massive destruction of the country's infrastructure, including schools and universities. Over 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Poland, Hungary, and other neighbouring countries. UCU condemns the Russian invasion and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We also stand in solidarity with brave colleagues in Russia who have come out against the war and are calling for peace.

UCU has issued an initial statement on Ukraine and we have agreed to donate to the UNICEF emergency appeal on Ukraine.

UCU is also supporting the solidarity initiatives launched by our global union federation, Education International (EI) and its European arm, the ETUCE.

EI and ETUCE have issued a joint statement on Ukraine, in which they denounce the Russian aggression and express unwavering commitment to their Ukrainian affiliates.

In addition, EI has issued an urgent action appeal in support of our colleagues from Ukraine in the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine (TUESWU) and the Free Trade Union of Education and Science in Ukraine (VPONU). UCU members and branches are asked to contribute solidarity financial assistance to help TUESWU and VPONU members who are in still in Ukraine or were forced to flee the country and are now refugees. Please send your contributions to the following account:

Education International
ING Bank
24, Avenue Marnix
1000 Brussels
Belgium.

Account number: 310-1006170-75.
IBAN code: BE05 3101 0061 7075.
Swift code: BBRUBEBB.
Please use the reference: TUESWU and VPONU.

UCU also supports the EI Declaration Schools Shall be Safe Sanctuaries and the right for students, teachers and education support personnel, as well as schools and education institutions to be protected from violent political and military attack.

Our UCU rep at Barking and Dagenham College, Diana Aynaci has done an amazing job coordinating a massive collection of toiletries for Ukrainian refugees and this was covered in the local press.