As an institution of learning, UNE’s role in times of war is to act as a forum for peaceful expression of opinion, in line with the University’s commitment to free speech and academic freedom.
That same commitment means that UNE supports the right of staff and students to protest in peaceful assemblies. A wide range of views exists in our community, which is multicultural and multifaith. We have a long history of student activism that dates back to the 1960s.
Members of the UNE community have expressed their concern over the Israel-Palestine conflict through social media and also correspondence with my office.
Rather than valourise one appalling war over another, or condemn attacks on one country’s civilians but be silent about civilian attacks elsewhere, UNE’s position in this debate remains broad rather than specific: all acts of aggressive war are abhorrent; all acts of war against civilians are unacceptable.
The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students, and indeed all members of our university community, is our priority.
More information can be found here on our Freedom of Speech Rule and Academic Freedom statement, and Freedom of Speech policy.
UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran
