UniTS for peace

27 February, 2022

Over the whole weekend, the main facade of the University of Trieste will be illuminated blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

In this way, the University of Trieste wishes to express its sympathy and support for the people of Ukraine and the sizeable Ukrainian community present in our region, in association with the many other initiatives of solidarity in Italy and Europe. 

The worldwide scientific community UniTs proudly belongs to embody peace and cooperation which, in turn, underpin freedom and democracy

The blue and yellow colours represent a place where, at this very moment, these principles are being violated in ways that we cannot accept: as stated in Art.11 of the Italian Constitution: “Italy rejects war as an instrument of aggression against the freedom of other peoples and as a means for the settlement of international disputes. Italy agrees, on conditions of equality with other States, to the limitations of sovereignty that may be necessary to a world order ensuring peace and justice among the Nations. Italy promotes and encourages international organisations furthering such ends.”


Letter from the Rector Roberto Di Lenarda to the Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian students at UniTS

Dear students,  

the whole community of the University of Trieste is following the unfolding of events in your homelands  with great concern. Images and news arriving from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus that we would never have wanted to see or hear, remind us of a past war that particularly affected Trieste and its surrounding area; a painfully recent memory allowing us to feel the same anxiety and suffering you are experiencing, away from your homes and loved ones.    

We do hope that your University is a place, where you can build your future with confidence and where you can feel welcomed and supported by teachers and students.  

Apart from the serious responsibilities of those causing such a great suffering, I would like to emphasise that being a student in our University transcends any political affiliation: war affects everyone violently and dreadfully, without distinction.  

The University of Trieste, like all universities in Italy and throughout the world, is a place of knowledge, research and dialogue, and it is through these means that we intend to give our contribution to a culture of peace and dialogue among peoples. Our aim, especially at this time, is to guarantee your right to study. However, we also intend to offer concrete help to students fleeing from war. Our initiative is the participation in the regional hosting project for Ukrainian students and scholars promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Regional Authority.  

For all your needs relating to the crisis, please do not hesitate to contact the Delegate for International Relations and the competent International Office.  

Hoping that the current crisis will soon be over, I warmly greet you,  

The Rector,  Roberto Di Lenarda