The University of the Arts and its student community have recently been deliberating the current political state and the University's communication channels and policies. Helsingin Sanomat (article available here in Finnish; link) yliopiston linjauksesta sähköpostilistojen käytöstä. Taideyliopiston ylioppilaskunta näkee, että nykytila, jossa osa sähköpostilistoista on avoimia ja osa ei, ei ole kestävä. Tarvitsemme Taideyliopistossa lisää tiloja ja alustoja käydä keskustelua yli akatemiarajojen samalla niin, että kukin yhteisön jäsen voi valita keskustelut, joihin osallistuu. Tällä hetkellä opiskelijoilla on yhteinen Teams-kanava, jossa TaiYo kannustaa jatkamaan keskustelua.
TaiYo expresses its support to keeping this dialogue open within campuses. We condemn war and sympathise with those who are affected by the war in Gaza. TaiYo hopes for an end to all suffering and conflict as soon as possible and that a sustainable path to peace can be reached . Violence against civilians and the killing of civilians in Gaza and Israel must stop immediately, and the Finnish state must act to promote peace and end the war.
Our community consists of people from various backgrounds, who view this current war from different perspectives. Even in this situation, for its students, regardless of their background or opinions, the University of the Arts has to be a safe place to express one's point of view and bravely take a stand. We hope that everyone considers the diversity of our community and the different perspectives within it.
TaiYo is constantly working to ensure that everyone at Uniarts feels safe and that students can take a stand on issues they consider important. TaiYo supports student activism and encourages everyone to explore the most effective ways to advocate.
Let’s keep on supporting and being there for each other. It is important that in this situation, our community and society has no place for racism, injustice or judging of entire groups of people. If the current situation causes anxiety, don't be left alone with difficult thoughts and feelings. Counselling is available , for example, by our university chaplain (link to contact information) or by Mieli ry Crisis help line (link to contact information) Tips for dealing with feelings caused by war-related news can also be found on Mieli ry's blog (link).
More information:
TaiYo:n pääsihteeri Lauri Grünthal
taiyo-paasihteeri@uniarts.fi, +358407104296
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