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Message from IAU
President
Professor Goolam
Mohamedbhai
Vice-Chancellor, University of Mauritius
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The unprecedented disaster that hit South East Asia on
December 26, 2004 will have lasting effects, particularly in the
coastal areas
of all affected countries, for years to come. The
current estimated
death toll stands at 225,000 with Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India,
Thailand,
Malaysia, Myanmar and Bangladesh the hardest hit. Our deepest
sympathies
have been expressed to all who have suffered.
The local and
international movement of solidarity and support was swift and
strong.
However, to deal with the medium and long-term damage and to rebuild
lives and
whole communities, we must stay involved. Furthermore, and in
terms of
actions for higher education institutions, it may be more appropriate
and
feasible to get involved only after the immediate and more basic needs
are
met. Our initiatives must respond to real needs and wants of our
partners
in the affected areas, and our actions must be in line with our
missions -
provision of higher education, support for teachers and teacher
education for
all levels of education, research collaboration and capacity building
for
prevention, information and education for sustainable development.
It is for this
reason that IAU has invited as many institutions in the countries
hardest hit
by the Tsunami as possible to let others know what assistance might be
of
greatest benefit to their students and staff now and in the
future. We
have also encouraged our other members to share information about their
actions
or offers of assistance with us. The information clearinghouse
offered by
the IAU for such exchanges is a first step. It is a foundation on
which
to build other initiatives and prepare further. Please contact
iau@unesco.org
and check this website for updates.
Letter
to Board Members (rtf, 12 kb) - Letter
to Institutions and Associations in the affected region (rtf, 8 kb)
- Invitation
to act (rtf, 16 kb)
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