Address of the President of the Association of Rectors of Pedagogical Universities of Europe, Rector of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University Viktor Andrushchenko

Address of the President of the Association of Rectors of Pedagogical Universities of Europe, Rector of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University Viktor Andrushchenko to the heads, faculty and students of pedagogical institutions, the academic community of Europe

Dear colleagues and friends,

At this difficult time, I appeal to you for the support of the people and the state of Ukraine, protection from aggression and the actual war waged by the Russian Federation against us.

You and I understand better than anyone else the disastrous consequences of such aggression for all the peoples of Europe. War is human casualties, destruction of material and spiritual values, fear and psychological confusion, degradation of moral priorities. To stop the war, to establish peace and justice based on European standards, to educate the younger generation in the spirit of respect and understanding, solidarity and respect, freedom and independence is the main task assigned to us by the peoples of the European space.

Creating the Association of Rectors of Pedagogical Universities of Europe, adopting the main document of our organization – "Pedagogical Constitution of Europe", we – the rectors of pedagogical universities of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Armenia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and other countries – dreamed of training such a teacher, under whose guidance goodness and justice, humanistic attitude to man, faith, hope and love will grow in the souls of new generations.

I am confident that all of you remember our friendly, constructive, humanistic meetings in Kyiv, Warsaw, Vilnius, Prague, Frankfurt am Main. We dreamed and made plans to train a new teacher for a united 21st century Europe. Today, our world and dreams are under threat. Distrust and fear have settled in our souls, destroying the single European home and not only alienating people from each other, but also inciting hatred and enmity.

It is time to return to the truth, love for man and humanity.

The teacher has always been and remains a defender, leader, advocate of justice and freedom. We must speak our humanistic word in defense of universal values. We must stop aggression. We must raise the banner of the struggle for peace, appeal to the leaders of our states, diplomats, entrepreneurs, prominent figures of science and education, culture, art and religion, all people of good will, and lead our children, pupils and students, as well as their parents, all those who value man, peace, work and freedom.

Let's stop the aggression! Let's establish human free choice, justice and freedom!

Viktor Andrushchenko (Ukraine),

President of the Association of Rectors of Pedagogical Universities of Europe,

Rector of the National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, professor

Kyiv, 27 February 2022