Originally published March 4, 2022; updated August 15, 2022
We stand with the people of Ukraine.
Ukraine continues to be attacked, an unprovoked war against an independent sovereign nation with a democratically elected government. The attack is both inhumane and unjustified. Like the rest of the world, we are watching the war with horror and condemnation in the strongest possible terms. These acts are war crimes.
The consequences of this war will affect us all, and we each must act. Economic sanctions against Russia are an important mechanism to restore peace.
At OpenText, we have decided to act in three key ways.
We have:
- Stopped all current and future business in Russia, and removed all employees from Russia
- Donated funds to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to aid in humanitarian efforts
- Taken additional steps to support refugees in Poland, especially children
Further, we are in partnership with our key customers and governments to ensure their operations, supply chains and systems are protected, secure and resilient.
As the crisis escalates and people continue to flee their homes, millions are in need of food, shelter and aid. We made an initial allocation of $100,000 in humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine through the UNHCR, and OpenText employees from around the globe donated an additional $55,000. We will continue to work with our close partners, customers and other organizations, to offer our technology to support their efforts.
If you can, please donate here.
Since the escalation of the conflict in February, our OpenText employees in Poznan have witnessed a flood of refugees into their town—primarily women and children who left home with nothing. OpenText asked: How can we help? What can we do to help restore their dignity and security, and give them hope?
We know that education is a critical component to the safety and well-being of refugee children, and a top priority for parents. As part of our ongoing support for the people of Ukraine, we are partnering with five schools in Poznan that have welcomed more than 600 Ukrainian children into their classrooms and communities.
OpenText provided 10,000€ to each school to fund new classroom laptops, translation software, textbooks, new lockers and more. We want to do what we can to help minimize the disruption to refugees’ lives and help them rebuild.
We also recognize the generosity of people around the world in welcoming refugees into their homes and helping them resettle. That is why we are expanding our OpenText Employee Relief Fund to offer a stipend to employees who open their homes to refugees, to help ease the financial burden of hosting.
I am reminded of a quote from Robert Browning’s Prospice: For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave. Brave is the steely fight in the people of Ukraine. They are an inspiration for all of us, and we stand with everyone affected by the events in Ukraine.
May the one that brings peace, bring peace for all.
We stand with the people of Ukraine.
Mark J. Barrenechea
OpenText CEO & CTO
For additional information, please see OpenText’s corporate statement concerning the conflict in Ukraine.
