Dear Nova SBE community,

Soon after a terrifying pandemic, we find ourselves witnesses to a devastating, unnecessary war. The sad events of the last week weigh on our hearts. Peace and togetherness among all humans are at the core of Nova SBE’s values. Every day, on our campus, students, and faculty from all around the world come together to show that unity in diversity makes us more human. They come to study and create an impact for a desirable future. A future that, as we can see, is at risk every day unless we choose to fight for it.

Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, who are enduring the impossible suffering of this folly, and we condemn the strategy and the tactics of the aggression against them. At the same time, we remain committed to the role of education as a bridge to a better and more peaceful world. Now more than ever.

Hence, the school has taken the following measures:

• We have suspended all relations with Russian companies, namely programs that were planned in Executive Education.

• In all our programs, we will remain open to students from Russia, Ukraine, and everywhere else in the world, hoping that more contact is also more understanding and a lasting road to peace.

• Program managers have been contacting students from Russia, Ukraine, as well as students currently on exchange in these countries, to offer support.

• We are working with the Nova SBE Students’ Union to support the collection and shipment of supplies needed for the situation in refugee camps and Ukraine. We invite all members of our community to contribute. The Nova SBE Students’ Union will be the point of contact for all student-led initiatives.

• We are looking to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in Portugal and across Europe by working together with the official authorities. A series of initiatives will soon be announced.

• We have appointed the school’s area of Community Engagement & Sustainable Impact (roletoplay@novasbe.pt) to coordinate all initiatives within our community aiming to support those suffering the brutality of war, and to foster peace.

I hope that this situation comes to a close as early as possible. But, in the end, it will depend on human agency. And however, little we can do, we all have a Role to Play.