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Dear students,
You may have seen last night or this morning that a UvA building was occupied by activists and then cleared by the police. In this extra newsletter we would like to answer some of the questions you may have about these events.
What was the purpose of the occupation?
The activists of UvA Rebellion and Mokum Kraakt, among others, have called on the UvA to end 'collaboration with Shell'. There are four (NWO) projects in the field of energy transition, health and a cleaner environment that are (co-)financed by Shell.
Did you enter into discussions with the activists?
Yesterday afternoon we immediately entered into talks with the UvA students among the activists. It was a constructive conversation; we share their concerns about the climate situation and the subject is high on our agenda. In recent months, there have also been regular consultations with the Central Student Council, action groups and other UvA stakeholders relating to cooperation with Shell. In an extensive letter on 23 December, we also answered all of the questions on this subject arising from an earlier petition.
What was promised in your conversations with the activists?
There is agreement on several points:
- We will organise a UvA-wide discussion with staff and students under the leadership of rector Peter-Paul Verbeek on the subject of 'cooperating with third parties';
- The independent Advisory Committee on Cooperation with Third Parties will be asked to look at the projects in which Shell is participating, in order to review our standards framework. Ongoing projects will not be stopped. The committee can issue advice based on scientific and social considerations, including the question: Does this research actually contribute to a sustainable future?
- We can confirm that neither Shell nor any other company in the fossil fuel industry has any influence on our education or research.
Why was the building cleared last night?
The building the activists occupied was BG4, the former Academic Club. We asked them during our discussions with them if they were prepared to leave the building voluntarily. We also made clear that protesting and demonstrating is always allowed at the UvA, that there is always room to continue talking and discussing things with each other, but that breaking in, occupying and staying overnight is not allowed. We had hoped that our pledges would lead to the activists ending the occupation. Because they could not promise to do so, we eventually filed a report with the police. There were also indications that the activists were mobilising other groups to join them. The police subsequently asked on several occasions that those present leave the building, when this did not happen, the police cleared BG4.
It is extremely important that we continue to have a dialogue about climate and sustainability, we are always open to that - that is what we have been doing in recent months and what we will continue to do.
Peter-Paul Verbeek, Jan Lintsen and Geert ten Dam
Executive Board
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