Australia’s Learned Academies condemn attack on Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences

The attack struck the Academy during the working day, killing members of its community, injuring others and causing extensive damage to its historic headquarters. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who were killed. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and the entire Ukrainian academic and research community.

An attack on a national academy of sciences is an attack on an institution dedicated to the advancement and preservation of knowledge. Academies and research institutions must be places where scholars can pursue knowledge and contribute to their societies without fear of violence.

We join fellow academies and scholarly communities around the world in condemning attacks on scientists, scholars and research and educational institutions, and in reaffirming the importance of protecting the people, institutions and infrastructure on which knowledge and scholarship depend.

• Professor Stephen Garton AM FAHA FRAHS FASSA FRSN, Chair of ACOLA and President, Australian Academy of the Humanities 
• Professor Louise Baur AM FAHMS, President, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences 
• Professor Sam Berkovic AC PresAA FAHMS FRS, President, Australian Academy of Science 
• Professor Kate Darian-Smith FASSA, President, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
• Dr Cathy Foley AO FTSE FAA PSM, President, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering 

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This joint statement by the Presidents of Australia's Learned Academies was coordinated the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA). It is the forum whereby Australia’s Learned Academies come together to provide trusted interdisciplinary expert advice to inform national policy and develop innovative solutions to global problems and emerging national needs.