Statements and Letters

Statement of Condolence on the Tragedy in Norway from AAC&U President Carol Geary Schneider

By Carol Geary Schneider, president, Association of American Colleges and Universities

July 28, 2011

On behalf of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, I want to express my deep condolences to the people of Norway and particularly to the families and friends of the victims of the horrific series of attacks on July 22, first on government employees and then on young people who were spending part of their summer learning how to become more effective citizens in their democracy.  During the last week of June, The University of Oslo and the European Wergeland Center, the University of Oslo, were gracious hosts for an international conference, “Reimagining Democratic Societies: An Era of Personal and Social Responsibility?,” organized by the Council of Europe, AAC&U, and other partners in the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility, and Democracy.  Several dozen presidents, scholars, and practitioners from AAC&U member institutions were part of the U.S. delegation.  The gruesome events only underscore the importance of embracing democratic values of tolerance, respect, the rule of law, and deliberating differences.  We commit ourselves as educators to those ends as one way to honor those slain in Norway.