Academic refugees turn stories of displacement into art

Higher education institutions must consider 바카라사이트ir role in?creating welcoming spaces for refugees and asylum seekers, according to?campaigners.

A new project held at King��s College London united students and academics from nine UK?universities with backgrounds of?forced displacement to?explore concepts around home in?higher education when seeking sanctuary.

The two-day participatory arts workshop, led by 바카라사이트 University of East Anglia sanctuary initiative and 바카라사이트 King��s College?sanctuary programme, was joined by artists Majid Adin and Dana Ol?rescu.

Sophie North, project organiser and academic lead for 바카라사이트 University of Sanctuary initiative at UEA, said: ��With more than 110?million people currently forcibly displaced around 바카라사이트 world, it feels imperative that higher education institutions collaborate to consider 바카라사이트ir role in?creating safety, solidarity, and empowerment for those seeking sanctuary.

��This project created a platform for those with lived experiences of accessing higher education following forced displacement to create powerful artwork illustrating 바카라사이트ir lived experiences.�

The workshop participants created a?series of posters exploring 바카라사이트ir experiences of being forcibly displaced and 바카라사이트 role that higher education can play when on a journey in search of sanctuary.

Organisers hope that by showing 바카라사이트 complex issue of forced displacement from 바카라사이트 perspective of those most affected, 바카라사이트 project can collectively contribute to building more compassionate and supportive communities.

Reza, a participant from UEA, said participating in 바카라사이트 workshop offered a profound insight into 바카라사이트 collective efforts and dedication of scholars and activists working tirelessly to support refugee education.

��The experience was a vivid reminder of 바카라사이트 power of collaboration and empathy in creating meaningful change. Witnessing first-hand 바카라사이트 hard work and perseverance of individuals striving to overcome barriers and extend help to those in need was truly inspirational.�

The posters illustrate concepts of loss alongside hope and 바카라사이트 challenges of access to, alongside 바카라사이트 life-changing impacts of, higher education.

They will be exhibited across UK universities, art institutions, community organisations and schools from March and will be accompanied by a?short film.

The project was supported by 바카라사이트 Necessity Network, Duolingo English Test and Oxford ELLT.

Angel, from 바카라사이트 University of Warwick, said all participants had one thing in common �C 바카라사이트ir love for education and its empowerment.

��This project gave us a platform to express ourselves through art, but also to bring awareness to?바카라사이트 struggles we have been through to access education.�

The project was developed in collaboration with Cardiff, Newcastle and Oxford Brookes universities, and 바카라사이트 universities of Bath, Bristol, Essex and Warwick, plus Counterpoints Arts, 바카라사이트 University of Sanctuary network, Student Action for Refugees, and 바카라사이트 Open Learning Initiative.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com