“Together is a good word”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of international law and a threat to international peace and security. I have written about this previously in a blog post in which I also referred to the support available to students and staff affected by the war.

As Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said in her speech on 1 March, we do not currently see a direct threat of a military attack on Sweden, but the security situation has deteriorated.

In this situation, it is everyone’s responsibility to stay informed, to search for information from credible sources and to be on their guard against disinformation in the form of manipulation campaigns, for example.

And not least, it is a situation in which to do good things together and for each other.

LTH has learned a lot of things from the pandemic. One is that LTH’s students and staff showed considerable engagement in both our activities and society when they adapted in record time and many also contributed materials to public healthcare.

I hope that we can maintain this generous and helpful spirit while we continue to explore and create within LTH’s education, research and external engagement.

LTH’s Faculty Management is now starting work to ensure that our activities – education, research and external engagement – will continue to be robust if Sweden were to be subject to serious disruptions.

I hope that, as an LTH student, you keep informed ¬and a good source for this is the Krisinformation.se app. It may also be a good idea to look through the brochure from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) for households in Sweden.

My intention in reminding you about how we can prepare for crisis is, of course, not to cause unnecessary worry. However, I would like to get across that it is good if we all follow, as far possible, the advice of public authorities – so that society’s resources can be used for those who most need them if a crisis arises.

To our dismay, a war is raging in Europe, not so very far from Sweden, with great suffering as a result. At LTH, we have students, researchers and staff who are directly affected by what is happening.

I hope that everyone at LTH will be able to meet more in the spring and do good things for each other and to benefit the world. And that we make a stand for democracy and help those who need security and compassionate support.

And in difficult and trying times, together is a good word. Take good care of yourself and others!

Annika Olsson

Dean of LTH

PS If you are involved in a current voluntary initiative or cooperation project to support students in Ukraine, for example, please contact me via email. The Faculty Management would very much like to know about the good initiatives that are being pursued at LTH on this matter!