CIVIS transnational initiative: How can universities support migrants and refugee communities?

Speakers and programme by order of appearance

Introduction

• José Luis Pau for CIVIS - Open Labs and the idea for transnational initiatives
• Prof Mike Osborne for the University of Glasgow - there was no Open Lab at the University of Glasgow until June 2022; overview of UG’s and city of Glasgow's long tradition of welcoming and supporting migrant/refugee communities.

Open session

University of Bucharest

Alina Tigau & Alina Mareci: Historically, Romania has not experienced considerable numbers of migrants, and especially refugees who permanently settled down in the country. This Open Lab project is an opportunity to explore the current specificities of the migrant and refugee experience, such as the growing number of minors who arrive in our country and try to adapt to a new reality. We further want to bring together different parts of the community and start a long-overdue dialogue. Improving what each segment knows about each other will undoubtedly strengthen awareness, inclusiveness, non-discrimination, and social equity within our university and initiate a know-how framework for others in the country. By involving students in this project, we aim to create a snowball-type effect regarding information dissemination on this topic. The main conclusions will be summarized and made available to civil society entities and policymakers

University of Glasgow

Savan Qadir, Emerging Leader with the John Smith Institute and project manager with Refugees for Justice, will discuss some of the main issues facing asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland (particularly following the passing of the Nationality and Borders Act UK). Such issues include hotel detention, potential removals to Rwanda, and enforced homelessness. Savan will also discuss opportunities for optimism in Scotland; detailing the work of Refugees for Justice and other refugee-led organisations in Scotland that seek to empower New Scots to resist the aforementioned challenges. In addition, Savan will discuss his work with the UNESCO-RILA team (through his placement with the John Smith Institute), focusing on recent work comparing national refugee integration strategies and policies.

Dr Dan Fisher, a postdoctoral researcher with UNESCO-RILA, will introduce the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy (2018-2022), which sets out the aims and responsibilities for refugee integration in Scotland. He will discuss how the strategy is unique in its rights-based approach, which places onus on the Scottish Government and partners to ensure that refugees are aware of their rights in Scotland and able to access these. He will also discuss the New Scots Refugee Integration Development Project, which seeks to evaluate the impact of the New Scots strategy and collect evidence to be used in the development of the next iteration of the strategy.

Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

• José Luis Pau for UAM Open Lab

Stockholm University

Anna Carlstedt: At Stockholm University, the focus – within the framework of the CIVIS Transnational Project – was put on the challenge of "How can we better match the skills of students having a background as migrants or refugees, with higher education and jobs?"

On 10 May 2022, a CIVIS workshop was organised at OpenLabs Stockholm, with many different Stakeholders invited (local authorities, other universities, student unions, NGOs such as the Nordic Ukraine Forum). As an example of Good Practice, SU presented the bridging program ULV: A Supplementary Education for Migrant Teachers and Preschool Teachers.

University of Glasgow

Hannah Rose Thomas, PhD researcher with UNESCO RILA/MIDEQ, will discuss her art workshops with migrant women and her portraiture - which act as a visual testimony not only of war and injustice but also of humanity, dignity and resilience. Hannah's exhibition entitled Tears of Gold featured in the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN75), and in June will exhibit within the Palace of Westminster (see attached).

Pinar Aksu is our newest UNESCO RILA PhD scholar, but we've worked alongside her for a number of years. Her Thesis is entitled: Art and Justice: using art-based practices for social change. Pinar currently works with Maryhill Integration Network as a Human Rights and Advocacy Coordinator, as well as being a theatre maker with Active Inquiry and World Spirit Theatre. Her other involvements and interests include: committee member at Right to Remain, member of Royal Society of Edinburgh, supporter with Refugees for Justice, and International Detention Coalition.  She will talk about general concerns within the Nationality and Borders Act, current issues regarding access to Education and discuss welcoming people.

Aix-Marseille Université

AMU Open Lab - Camp des Milles Training recap, with a focus on next steps for CIVIS

• What to do with the training certificate
• Presentation of Lab’Citoyenneté Villa Air Bel, example of project that can apply for the Certification

AMU Open Lab - Citizens Campus seminar in Marseille, online intervention of Claude-Emmanuel Triomphe, President and Founder of Citizens Campus

• Presentation of the Seminar that took place in Marseille from 10-11th June, which involved 16 CIVIS students, among a hundred of young Europeans
• Statement regarding the relevance of the special partnership between CIVIS and Citizens Campus, with the illustration of the added value brought by CIVIS students at the seminar
• Reflexion regarding further transnational activities

Conclusion

• Mike Osborne / José Luis Pau

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