Stop the war in Ukraine
03.03.2022
The facade of Palazzo Bo remains illuminated in yellow and blue for a few more days, underlining the University of Padua's support of the Ukrainian people and, by extension, to all those in the centre of senseless wars. Parcipating in the lighting of Palazzo Bo, on March 4, included Rector Daniela Mapelli, Deputy Mayor of Padua Andrea Micalizzi, Honorary Consul of Ukraine Marco Toson for the Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, 4 former rectors of the University - Vincenzo Milanesi, Giuseppe Zaccaria, Gilberto Muraro, and Rosario Rizzuto as well as students and the public.
Repeating the word of our motto explains Rector Mapelli,'Universa Universis Patavina Libertas, is truly a motto of freedom that has represented the University through eight long centuries and continues to define us. The motto affirms our pluralistic character and independence from any conditioning and discrimination of ideological, political, religious or economic character. This moment has brought us here today and represents a tangible sign of absolute solidarity in the context of these people and our firm condemnation of any form of aggression between states and violation of human rights. Our University identifies diplomacy and dialogue as the only means for a peaceful and effective resolution in disputes between states.'
There are more than one hundred Ukrainian students enrolled at the University of Padua, a large community that in recent days has made itself available, together with many students of the University, to provide aid and assistance of all kinds. In his speech, Honorary Consul Toson asks us to continue to support the understandably tired and distraught Ukrainian community
'It is here, in the University - said Deputy Mayor Micalizzi - that the conditions are created for humanity to live in peace.
When war broke out, Unipd with Rector Mapelli launched the appeal: "This war is a step back in time; it is a disruption for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the fight against climate change, and Covid (...) After such conflicts, we can rebuild homes, businesses, and shops, but relationships between people are torn apart for generations. Our University came to be 800 years ago because we chose freedom, freedom in research and teaching.We condemn Putin. We are ready to welcome Ukrainian students with scholarships, accommodations, and boarding, as these young people have the right to a place to build their future."
