Every day, the world is becoming more unstable, fragile, and unpredictable. Wars, authoritarian processes, political repression, and economic crises profoundly affect not only societies but also universities and academic freedom.

Forcing an academic into exile is not only a career setback but also a loss of a nation’s scientific knowledge, educational capacity, and intellectual output. However, this loss often occurs silently. The voids created in university corridors, research laboratories, and classrooms are often not immediately noticeable.

Today, numerous academics in different parts of the world are forced to leave their countries due to war, political repression, or security concerns. From Ukraine to Gaza, from Sudan to Afghanistan, from Turkey to Russia, and now to Iran, academics in many regions are trying to rebuild their lives amidst uncertainty. Exile and migration do not always signify a new beginning. On the contrary, it often means the beginning of a long struggle marked with academic isolation, temporary contracts, language barriers, and financial difficulties… That’s why academic solidarity is vital.

Providing guidance to disadvantaged academics, creating scholarship opportunities, facilitating their access to academic networks, and supporting their adaptation to new academic environments are not only acts of individual support but also ways to protect scientific output. Every supported academic will contribute to the continuity of scientific thought.

While the need for support is increasing, the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment worldwide is making the process even more difficult. In many countries, academics face not only the hardships of exile but also xenophobia, bureaucratic obstacles, and academic insecurity. Therefore, academic solidarity is more critical than ever today.

Initiatives like Academic Solidarity do more than just support individual academics. Growing with your support, Academic Solidarity also contributes to protecting academic freedom, sustaining scientific output, and strengthening democratic societies.

Mentoring an academic, providing a scholarship, or opening the door to an academic network may seem like a small step. However, these steps will open the door for exiled academics to produce, to teach again, and to hope again.

As the world enters a more uncertain period, academic solidarity is no longer an option; it is a responsibility. While the number of people we support materially and morally increases every year, it is still just a drop in the ocean given the magnitude of the need. Therefore, we invite you to support Academic Solidarity and similar charitable movements. When academics cannot hold on and become alienated from society, not only individuals but also knowledge is lost.