On March 23, 2022, ACM posted on its website the following text:
On March 3, 2022, ACM’s Executive Committee decided not to hold any conferences in Russia while the conflict in the Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe continue. This decision applies to ACM sponsored conferences and workshops as well as in-cooperation events.Thanks to all those who signed the petition!
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In February of this year, Russia launched a full-scale attack against Ukraine. It is the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. With over three million Ukrainians fleeing the country, the invasion has also caused the largest refugee crisis in Europe since then. Russian military forces have also launched brutal attacks on civilian targets, including hospitals, which may be considered war crimes.
In response to this brutal aggression, many organizations have severed their relationships with Russia. For example, the International Mathematical Union decided to hold the upcoming International Congress of Mathematicians, which was planned to be held this year in St. Petersburg, outside of Russia.
We the undersigned believe that all people of good will from around the world should show their opposition to the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine. This includes also professional organizations that claim to base their professionalism on ethical values.
We are deeply concerned by the fact that the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) has been completely silent regarding the tragic events in the Ukraine. As computing professionals, we urge ACM to stand against violence and oppression. We call on ACM to declare publicly that, while this invasion continues: (1) ACM will not hold or plan to hold any conference in Russia, (2) ACM will not be affiliated with any conference in Russia.
On Ukraine, history is listening. ACM should be on the right side of history.
Updates
March 22, 2022
I have spent my mornings reading the messages from those of you who have signed this. Your stories remind me why this matters so much as we continue to push to see our values reflected in the decisions of professional organizations.
March 22, 2022
Seeing this momentum grow is deeply personal for me because my own family still lives under the constant threat of these attacks. It means the world to know that so many of you grasp the urgency of holding these organizations accountable for their silence.
Reached 100 supporters
March 22, 2022
65 Comments
As Lukasz rightly wrote: Science needs freedom. There is no future for science in a dictatorship. We must distance from institutions that support the unprovoked war against the Ukraine. I do feel bad for the excellent Russian researchers who are being cut off.
I have 6 Ukrainian colleagues. 2 are stuck in Kiev. This is an awful situation and the world needs to stand together.
These ongoing war crimes deserve a response from all scientists. Whilst minimising damage to individuals boycotting all Russian/Belarusian organisations is a good first step.
While ACM has (correctly in my opinion) taken the stand to avoid taking part in international disputes - the current situation of active warfare and the magnitude of the devastation being unleashed leads me to believe that in this case the action is warranted.
We do not act against Russians. We act against the governance of Russia which has permitted this invasion.
I fully agree.
Russian scientists should be supported. Russian business (conferences, etc.) should not be supported.
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On March 23, 2022, ACM posted on its website the following text:
On March 3, 2022, ACM’s Executive Committee decided not to hold any conferences in Russia while the conflict in the Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Europe continue. This decision applies to ACM sponsored conferences and workshops as well as in-cooperation events.Thanks to all those who signed the petition!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In February of this year, Russia launched a full-scale attack against Ukraine. It is the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. With over three million Ukrainians fleeing the country, the invasion has also caused the largest refugee crisis in Europe since then. Russian military forces have also launched brutal attacks on civilian targets, including hospitals, which may be considered war crimes.
In response to this brutal aggression, many organizations have severed their relationships with Russia. For example, the International Mathematical Union decided to hold the upcoming International Congress of Mathematicians, which was planned to be held this year in St. Petersburg, outside of Russia.
We the undersigned believe that all people of good will from around the world should show their opposition to the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine. This includes also professional organizations that claim to base their professionalism on ethical values.
We are deeply concerned by the fact that the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) has been completely silent regarding the tragic events in the Ukraine. As computing professionals, we urge ACM to stand against violence and oppression. We call on ACM to declare publicly that, while this invasion continues: (1) ACM will not hold or plan to hold any conference in Russia, (2) ACM will not be affiliated with any conference in Russia.
On Ukraine, history is listening. ACM should be on the right side of history.
Updates
March 22, 2022
I have spent my mornings reading the messages from those of you who have signed this. Your stories remind me why this matters so much as we continue to push to see our values reflected in the decisions of professional organizations.
March 22, 2022
Seeing this momentum grow is deeply personal for me because my own family still lives under the constant threat of these attacks. It means the world to know that so many of you grasp the urgency of holding these organizations accountable for their silence.
Reached 100 supporters
March 22, 2022
65 Comments
Of course, we should continue communicating and inviting Russian colleagues, but we must not continue to do business as usual with a country that has a fascist regime that militarily attacks its neighbors.
As Lukasz rightly wrote: Science needs freedom. There is no future for science in a dictatorship. We must distance from institutions that support the unprovoked war against the Ukraine. I do feel bad for the excellent Russian researchers who are being cut off.
I have 6 Ukrainian colleagues. 2 are stuck in Kiev. This is an awful situation and the world needs to stand together.
These ongoing war crimes deserve a response from all scientists. Whilst minimising damage to individuals boycotting all Russian/Belarusian organisations is a good first step.
While ACM has (correctly in my opinion) taken the stand to avoid taking part in international disputes - the current situation of active warfare and the magnitude of the devastation being unleashed leads me to believe that in this case the action is warranted.
We do not act against Russians. We act against the governance of Russia which has permitted this invasion.
I fully agree.
Russian scientists should be supported. Russian business (conferences, etc.) should not be supported.
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Of course, we should continue communicating and inviting Russian colleagues, but we must not continue to do business as usual with a country that has a fascist regime that militarily attacks its neighbors.