Â鶹´«Ã½ pledges support to City of Sanctuary Published on: 20 December 2017 Â鶹´«Ã½ has joined a city-wide coalition to welcome refugees and asylum seekers to the city. Shared values Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, this week signed a pledge to support Â鶹´«Ã½: City of Sanctuary. The organisation works closely with communities, voluntary and faith organisations to help new arrivals to the city settle in and highlights the contribution of refugees to the area they have made their home. Professor Day signed the pledge with Sarah Smart, co-ordinator of Â鶹´«Ã½: City of Sanctuary.“I’m proud to sign this document, which pledges our support to an organisation which is working so hard to help people who are making a new home in this city,” he said. “We share many of the values of Â鶹´«Ã½: City of Sanctuary and this is another example of Â鶹´«Ã½’s ongoing commitment to social justice. “It is extremely fitting that the University has pledged its support as we come towards the end of Freedom City 2017, our year-long commemoration of Dr Martin Luther King’s visit to Â鶹´«Ã½ to receive an honorary degree in November 1967. The great problems he identified, war, poverty and racism, are things refugees and asylum seekers often face.” Left to right, Professor Mark Shuckmith, Professor Chris Day, Professor Judith Rankin, Sarah Smart and Professor Eric Cross Commitment to social justice Sarah Smart said: “Â鶹´«Ã½: City of Sanctuary's vision is that wherever those seeking sanctuary go within the city they will find people that understand why they are here, welcome them and include them fully as members, colleagues, volunteers and friends.“By signing this pledge of support Â鶹´«Ã½ is showing their commitment to supporting this vision, sending out a positive message of inclusion to asylum seekers and refugees within Â鶹´«Ã½." One of the core values of Â鶹´«Ã½ is a commitment to social justice and its looks at how people and communities thrive in turbulent times. Many academics across the University are investigating issues such as migration, displacement and belonging., Director of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Institute for Social Renewal said: “Recently, social and political turmoil and rising inequality have led many refugees to flee violence and look for a more stable place to live and work. Globally, one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. Unfortunately such displacement is likely to be a continuing feature of the 21st Century, and as researchers and as citizens we will seek to play our part in mitigating the impacts on those seeking sanctuary, welcoming them to our city and protecting their human rights.” Supporting refuges and asylum seekers The University has a number of schemes in place to support refugees and asylum seekers including reduced fees for eligible students. It also directs these students to other organisations which can help and support them. It contributes to the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) which helps academics and scientists fleeing from discrimination, persecution, suffering and violence in some of the world’s most dangerous places. It also works with a number of charitable foundations to alleviate the suffering of those in such difficult circumstances. Latest News Local knowledge can improve early warnings of glacial lake floods Local knowledge, improved evacuation preparedness and resilient mobile phone-based communication channels can enhance Early Warning Systems to reduce loss of life during glacial lake outburst floods. published on: 3 August 2026 Funding boost moves landmark cancer research centre a step closer A £1.25 million grant from the Wolfson Foundation to Â鶹´«Ã½ has brought the Sir Bobby Robson Institute a significant step closer, giving a major boost to its fundraising campaign. published on: 3 August 2026 Statement on potential unauthorised data access Information about a potential unauthorised data access. published on: 30 July 2026 Facts and figures
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