The community of HEAD - Genève is deeply affected by the dramatic situation that has been unfolding in the Middle East since 7 October 2023. The geopolitical upheavals of recent weeks are generating anxiety and confronting us with unbearable violence. We are all thinking particularly of the students and staff who have strong personal links with the Israelis and the Palestinians who are the victims and direct witnesses of the conflict, and we express our warmest support for them. 

The school is a place where the sensitivity of each individual is expressed. It is also a sounding board. We listen carefully and pay close attention to the various messages conveyed by members of our community in the context of this conflict. However, the school must not be a place of division: at HEAD, we condemn any public unilateral declaration of political opinions that excludes dialogue. We condemn all hurtful and violent acts which may affect our students and staff, or which feed anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or any other form of discrimination and exclusion, without exception. In this context, we believe it is more essential than ever to work collectively to foster a climate of respect and tolerance. We oppose all discriminatory and dehumanizing discourse and encourage dialogue, critical distance, and shared reflection. HEAD must be a space for debate, sharing, and support for the entire community. We will do our utmost to ensure that the school is a safe place for each and every one of us, thereby fostering inclusiveness.

The information war is at the heart of the current conflict. We invite everyone to become aware of this and to stay informed by combining different sources of information and points of view.

Let us use the privileged space that is a school of art and design to reflect and express our thoughts and feelings through creative works that challenge and work towards a better understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us, in order to fight against discrimination, misunderstanding, anger, and fear.

Lada Umstätter
Director, HEAD - Genève