Dear ANSE Presidents and ANSE Delegates,
The war of aggression in Ukraine has been on our minds for weeks and we are shocked again and again by the brute force inflicted on the Ukrainian people, and how the destruction is being driven forward.
We also know from members of the Ukrainian Association that aid has been sent and is arriving in Ukraine. All in all, this is certainly only a small consolation, but we want to thank all those who are working for and helping the people in Ukraine.
In recent weeks, the ANSE board has held a number of emergency meetings, in order to assess and understand the situation and tried to gather information from all parties. Our community is built on dialogical principles, and we wanted to follow them in this situation as well. Therefore, we have asked our members for their perspectives. We are grateful for the feedback from the associations. And it has been also important for us to have a direct conversation with representatives of NASR.
Although the lines of communication sometimes take their time, we have tried very hard to get the information as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, there is also a need for coordination and agreement.
Yesterday a conversation took place with the Russian association NASR. From the emails and conversations, it became clear that staying in the ANSE community is not possible in the current situation. The Russian association has shown understanding and has drawn the necessary consequences and carried out its self-initiated suspension from ANSE: As of yesterday’s date, (28.03.2022) NASR is officially suspended. This means that during the suspension, which is linked to the political and military situation, the association will not be listed as a member of ANSE and will not be able to participate in any activities, such as the General Assembly.
This decision seems to be the most viable one at the moment, although it might not meet all expectations.
Nevertheless, it is important for the ANSE Board to emphasise that in the future and after a dialogue, a reintegration into the community can take place.
We hope to provide understandable information and transparency with this email.
Best regards,
Agnes Turner on behalf of the ANSE board