Position Statement of the European Association of Professors Emeriti on Preservation of Peace

War has a catastrophic influence on humanity. It steals life, health and hope. It destroys economy, nutrition and ecosystems. But, its effects on infrastructure and economies cannot be compared to human suffering.

On an individual basis it produces short term and long term psychological trauma like Ρost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) depression and anxiety. In children it produces emotional dysregulation, disruption of attachment as well as cognitive and behavioral problems. Additionally, parental trauma can influence offspring stress.

On a social level it destroys societies from within, produces displacement and forced migration that creates a multitude of problems to victims but also to host countries, causes disruption of social fabric and inter-group violence.

The trauma of war persists through transgenerational transmission of stress and thus robs future generations. Many of these effects have been highlighted in the Athens Anti-war Declaration (2016).

In view of the above and having considered that in the present historical period the drums of war and destruction are becoming more and more loud

WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSORS EMERITI DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:

1. We perceive it as an ethical obligation to raise our voice on a matter that threatens the fate of mankind.

2. Having spent all our lives in education at its highest level and graced with professional and human experience and wisdom arising from academic conscience and ethics We raise our collective voice to CONDEMN WAR and appeal for PEACE. We cannot remain silent. Not only humanity but the whole living world on earth is in danger of total catastrophe.

3. Our appeal is by no means motivated by political or ideological considerations and we will not allow its misuse to serve such purposes.

4. In this moment of mounting global strife and widespread human suffering, we call for an immediate cessation of all wars – in every land, under every flag, by all sides. No geopolitical considerations can justify human-made disasters and the destruction and suffering associated with them.

5. We urge all leaders – political, military, religious and cultural – to act. How? By resisting armed conflicts and by stopping the existing ones. If they remain indifferent it is as if they agree with what is currently happening and its future perspectives.

In the name of human dignity

In the name of logos (reason)

In the spirit of shared responsibility

For the sake of generations to come

WE, THE PROFESSORS EMERITI OF EUROPE, CALL FOR PEACE NOW. Given in Athens, 25 July 2025