UEA Refugee Week, 12 - 18 March
By: Communications
The University of East Anglia (UEA) is proud to be an accredited University of Sanctuary (UoS). An accreditation given to universities that show an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming culture of inclusivity and awareness and sanctuary for those who have had to flee their homeland.
As part of its important work, the UoS team is hosting UEA Refuge Week (Saturday 12 Friday to Friday 18 March), a celebratory festival that is open to all. With the current humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine and thousands of innocent people losing their lives and homes, never has this work and this week been more relevant than now.
The festival offers an opportunity to promote a better understanding why people seek sanctuary, to celebrate their bravery and resilience and to consider the positive contribution that refugees make to the UEA and the wider community.
Sophie North, The University of Sanctuary Academic Lead at UEA said, “As Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on, we have been reminded how quickly people’s lives are destroyed. The plight of Ukraine families reminds us of the horrendous decisions that so many people around the world must make in order to find a place of safety.
The University of Sanctuary sits at the heart of an incredibly diverse, collaborative and exciting range of projects and activities that run throughout the UEA to offer a safe space for those seeking sanctuary. All of which contribute enormously to the diversity and wealth of the campus environment and community.
We are proud to welcome you to join us to celebrate the contributions, resilience and creativity of refugees and find out more about the inspirational projects that enhance their experience studying and living in the UK.”
Mitra, a UEA master’s student, was evacuated by UK military aircraft when the situation in her home country of Afghanistan deteriorated. She talks to how the Sanctuary team helped her feel less alone as a young woman living in a strange country.
“The University of Sanctuary is the backbone of the UEA and that it should be expanded. Thanks to UEA and the University of Sanctuary initiative - I have been supported in a way I never expected.
“Following my admission to UEA, the University of Sanctuary provided me with a great deal of support in terms of guidance and advice, financial support in various fields, and the provision of some necessary items for my home, as well as giving me the courage to communicate with UEA staff about my asylum and connecting me with many departments. This has given me the feeling that I am not alone and that I have a family here.
Another UoS beneficiary and UEA Masters student, who has to remain anonymous due to the continued threats to his family’s safety, explained what the UoS has meant to him: “I am coming from a middle eastern country where human rights are not respected. While I was an honest citizen, I had to leave my home country after experiencing some unfair and unjust problems.
The University of Sanctuary is so precious to me that I can't describe it even if I wanted to. In addition to the troubles, I had in my home country and difficulties brought by being an asylum seeker; the addition of pandemic conditions made my already difficult life even worse. The University of Sanctuary team has given me countless support to get through this process. They made me feel at home in a place where I was alone and foreign. Thanks to these helps, I can feel re-settled and accepted.”
Both students comment on the ‘helpful and kind-heartedness of the British people’ that they have met’.
The full list of events can be found on the UoS website, but key highlights include the kick-off event; A Walk of Welcome on Saturday 12 March. This gentle and ‘open to all event’ will see participants meet outside the Sainsbury Centre at 11am and complete a *sponsored walk (*optional) around the campus and lake.
The route will follow the shape of a heart, a symbolic reminder the UEA offers a place of welcome at its heart. Everybody will have an opportunity to hear from people who have benefited from the Sanctuary’s support, learn how to say ‘welcome’ in multiple languages en route and finish off with a well-earned cup of tea.
Other events include two online ‘cook along’ sessions by friends of UoS. On Monday 14 March, Duygu will guide participants to make her favourite Turkish dish ‘Sultan’s Delight’ and on Tuesday 15 March, Katya will teach people to make a traditional dish from the Republic of Moldova called ‘Placinte Cu Brinza’ (Cottage Cheese Pies).
On Wednesday 16 March, there will be a roundtable online discussion that will explore what it means to be a University of Sanctuary. Representatives from different UK University of Sanctuary Universities will discuss the work they are already doing to foster inclusivity, share best practice and inspire further initiatives. All are welcome to attend, with pre booking not necessary. Please join the meeting online at 12 noon at this link.
In the afternoon between 2-4pm, let your imagination be unleashed and join a creative workshop with Artist Annie Brundrit at the Sainsbury’s Centre. Participants will make colourful prints inspired by the word ‘welcome.’ All materials will be provided, and no is experience necessary, just enthusiasm. For more information email e.ballard@uea.ac.uk.
On Friday 18 March, the acclaimed Ice and Fire Theatre Company will present ‘Asylum Monologues’. The event which is being organised by the UEA Student Action for Refugees Society will see performers reading first-hand stories of people experiences seeking refuge with the UK’s asylum system.
This is only a snapshot of the rich programme on offer. Now more than ever, we ask everyone to find some time to participate in this important festival that showcases the best in human spirit, resilience and generosity. Whilst all the events are free, any voluntary contributions and/ or sponsorship will be gladly accepted by the team and will be put to significant use to support their work going forward.
If you have any questions about the University of Sanctuary’s work or this festival, please contact university.of.sanctuary@uea.ac.uk.
You can donate to the fundraiser via their JustGiving page. 50% of funds raised will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC’s) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal fund, with the other 50% going to the UEA Sanctuary Scholar Wellbeing Activities Fund.
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