Imperial staff and students hold a vigil outside the Royal Albert Hall to mark the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine
Staff and students at Imperial College Business School gathered to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Members of the Imperial community attended a panel discussion to observe the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Organised by The Ukrainian Society at Imperial and the Franco-British charity Solidarité Ukraine, the panel brought together experts to discuss whether we are seeking to win the war or win peace. The discussion looked at both the reality of war and the potential for rebuilding Ukraine on solid post-war foundations.
The panel included Orysia Lutsevych, Ukraine Forum Leader at Chatham House, Harry Halem, Research Fellow, Foreign Policy and Defence at Policy Exchange and Dr Olga Onuch, Senior Lecturer in Politics at The University of Manchester. Professor Francisco Veloso, Dean of Imperial College Business School, also attended and made some remarks.
The aim of the event was to spark discussion among participants and contributors from London universities and think tanks. The organisers were keen to inspire large audiences to listen, collaborate, and make individual and collective contributions to end the war and begin the healing and rebuilding of Ukraine.
"Dr Olga Onuch's suggestion – to hug a Ukrainian when you meet one, deeply resonated with me." Kasia Piotrowska Operations Co-ordinator for Executive Education
After the panel discussion, participants took part in a silent procession carrying electronic candles along the steps of the Royal Albert Hall, as part of a 30 minute vigil to remember those who’ve been affected by the crisis.
Kasia Piotrowska, Operations Co-ordinator for Executive Education at Imperial College Business School and one of the organisers of the event said: ‘While there were plenty of insightful and thought-provoking comments made by the panel speakers, Dr Olga Onuch spoke about resilience and how difficult it is for Ukrainian refugees to go about their daily lives knowing what’s going on in their country. Her suggestion – to hug a Ukrainian when you meet one, deeply resonated with me.”
Reflecting on the event, Professor Francisco Veloso, Dean of Imperial College Business School said: “It was an important moment for our community to come together to remember those affected by the horrors of this war, a year on from the start of the crisis. It was a time of reflection, but also looking to the future as we remain hopeful for an end to this war and for Ukraine to rebuild itself as a country.”
The event follows recent efforts by Imperial College Business School to show its support to people affected by the Ukraine crisis. Last year students and staff from the Business School worked with Solidarité Ukraine to create a playbook to help displaced people fleeing from the invasion in Ukraine. The purpose of the project was to help community leaders in Saint-Omer in France in their efforts to resettle Ukrainians currently displaced by the war.
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Laura Singleton
Communications Division
