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Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the right to seek safety.
In the 21st century, with more than 100 million people forcibly displaced, with chronic conflicts that systematically expel people from their territories, with new conflicts – political, geostrategic, for the control of natural resources, appearing on all continents, with people fleeing their homes as a consequence of climate change, and with movements or trends that deny or limit the right to the refuge, the right recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and by the Convention and Protocol on Refugees. 20th June is World Refugee Day, an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. It urges individuals across the globe to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognise their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
Thematic Focus in 2023
In 2023, World Refugee Day focuses on the power of inclusion and solutions for refugees: “Hope away from Home. A world where refugees are always included.” Including refugees in the communities where they have found safety after fleeing conflict and persecution is the most effective way to support them in restarting their lives and enable them to contribute to the countries hosting them. It’s also the best way to prepare them to return home and rebuild their countries when conditions allow them to do so safely and voluntarily or to thrive if they are resettled to another country.
Sharing experiences: To shape minds and hearts to become more inclusive communities.
We have delighted to learn how to work towards a more just and inclusive space. We sat down with Cati Jerez, Coordinator of the University of Barcelona Support Programme for Refugees and People from Conflict Zones – UB Solidarity Foundation and Team Member of the CHARM-EU Inclusiveness Team (2019-2022) and (2023-) to listen to her experiences and message.
Cati highlights: “It is more necessary than ever that, as universities, we can work actively and strategically to promote the access of refugees to higher education institutions; open, consolidate and institutionalise inclusive spaces for diversity (that also take into account refugees); strengthen the concept and practice of human rights as well as the exchange of experiences and ideas in social and academic debates and research.”
Cati continues: “Let us remember that the mission of the University is not only to teach and research, historically, the University has been a welcoming institution. And now, more than ever, the University faces the challenge of moving from reaction to proactivity. It is time to design, implement and sustain that welcoming. A reception that will contribute to coexistence and social cohesion in the receiving societies, but which will also contribute to the reconstruction and reinforcement of knowledge alliances when the refugees can/want to return.”
CHARM-EU’s commitment to working towards inclusive education and societies.
CHARM-EU joins to raise awareness of this International Day, reiterating our commitment to acknowledging and tackling structural barriers, reducing exclusion, and working towards joint global human rights-based solutions are important. One of the core values of the CHARM EU Alliance is Inclusiveness. In this framework, the first sketches are being drawn to open the debate and also to take decisions to make CHARM-EU more inclusive more diverse, and it implies no matter what, being aware of and considering the circumstances and obstacles that refugees experience that limit their access to and participation in higher education. There are still many steps to be taken and challenges to be faced, but the horizon is clear: leave no one behind. Fulfilling the motto of the 2030 Agenda, which includes Goal 4. Ensure Inclusively and Equitable Quality Education, Promote Lifelong Learning for All.
Joint efforts of the CHARM-EU community and actors will foster the creation of a more just, inclusive education and society. We are committed to shaping minds and developing structures to realise the UN SDG’s values meaningfully.
Joins us to raise awareness by using the hashtag #WorldRefugeeDay on social media. Find more information by visiting the following link: World Refugee Day | United Nations
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
