Solent’s University of Sanctuary Network - first meeting

Solent University has committed to becoming a University of Sanctuary through the strategic priorities of engaging our communities in the new 2025 strategy and our Access and Participation Plan 2020-21 to 2024-25

The Universities of Sanctuary is an initiative to recognise the good practice of universities which welcome people seeking sanctuary, including refugees and asylum seekers, into their communities and seek to foster a culture of awareness and inclusivity.

Equal access to Higher Education is enshrined in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Access to education can be fundamental to a person’s ability to integrate, allowing them to meet new people, build professional networks, gain meaningful employment at a suitable level and contribute to their new society. Yet, many people who are forced to fee to the UK encounter and are forced to navigate significant financial, cultural and institutional barriers.

Learning and sharing are fundamental principles of the University of Sanctuary. Therefore, we are keen to engage and build a network of students, staff, academics, alumni and external partners with lived experiences of seeking sanctuary, teaching and researching topics related to seeking sanctuary, or are interested in supporting sanctuary seekers.

The first meeting will be virtually on Monday 1 March at 1pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Book your place here >

The agenda of the first meeting is as follows:

• Welcome and introductions;
• Introduction to University of Sanctuary;
• Learning about Sanctuary Seekers in Southampton;
• Open forum to share stories and experiences of Higher Education and/or Solent University as Sanctuary Seekers (Participation as a speaker is optional);
• Open forum to share ideas and suggestions for our action plan;
• Next steps.

Please share this meeting with your fellow students, colleagues and alumni. If you have any questions or are unable to attend but would like to attend a future meeting, please email engagement@solent.ac.uk

We look forward to your involvement and input.