The Youth Lab
Solidarity With Ukraine
In the midst of the terrible news breaking of Russian attacks in Ukraine, we will not be doing our usual 52INSIGHTS. We’re elevating other voices and pieces of work that we've found useful the past few days, to share ways to support the Ukrainian people and peace. This is not the world the youth of today want or deserve.
Start with understanding. If you are trying to come to grips and understand exactly what is going on, this post is somewhere to start for a simple version of what’s happening, and this post by musician Regina Spektor shows the reality of what is happening through the lens of blended identity.
Here are a few places to support via donation - frontline medical workers, helping Ukrainian LGBTQ+ citizens, LGBT Military, Ukrainian Hospitals fund, help Ukrainian children of war, Ukrainian Red Cross and humanitarian aid on the ground. As individual citizens, join a march in your city, and ask government officials to take action.
Beware of your sources. Help ensure you’re hearing the real stories by supporting places like the Kyiv Independent. The ICIJ is another great place to support justice-led independent investigative journalism. For social media users, we need to be conscious of the kind of social media you’re consuming, and consider the sources - a helpful twitter thread. Be thoughtful of what you share.
Handle yourself and the people around you with care. This is all quite overwhelming. Take a moment if needed before you start taking action. Slow down, and if it’s your thing, try reading relevant poetry for the soul.
Finally, here are resources that provide even more ways to support Ukrainian people all in one place; like this Twitter thread, this thread, this page and here too.
BRAND TAKEOUTS
This week marks the end of peace in Europe, and with that come consequences not just for civilians, but businesses and brands not just in Ukraine and Europe, but around the world. Companies with facilities in Ukraine and Russia, from McDonalds to Carlsberg, are closing down facilities and anticipating economic after-effects as the invasion unfolds. Brands too have been getting caught in the media-line-of-fire with the likes of Applebee having an unfortunate advertisement misplacement during coverage of the invasion on CNN. Twitter has also come out with safety advice for its users in high risk areas.
Brands with significant connections are being asked to take a stand and take action sooner rather than later. For example, The Drum highlights the morals vs. money challenge faced by Europe’s footballing body, UEFA, who must decide whether to continue or terminate its lucrative Champions League sponsorship deal with Russia-backed energy giant Gazprom. But even brands without connections like this are stepping up where they can - for example, Vodafone has just announced it’s waiving roaming fees for its European customers in Ukraine read more here.
As this (soon to be global) war crisis follows the global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressures on brands and businesses to support people and communities and stand on the right side of history will continue to be front and center. For now, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
Stay informed, share support. #StandwithUkraine