UEA hosting 'Refugee Week' to raise awareness about why people seek sanctuary
They are putting on a range of events this week to highlight how refugees and asylum seekers positively impact Norwich and Norfolk
A festival to raise awareness about why people seek sanctuary in another country is well underway at the UEA.
Their 'Refugee Week' is being hosted in conjunction with the University of Sanctuary and will see a range of events from cooking lessons to practical talks about studying at our University, put on between now and next Friday.
Mitra is a student at the University of East Anglia after coming here from Afghanistan in August.
She told us the aid offered to her from the University of Sanctuary has been invaluable: "One of the biggest bit of support for students who come here as refugees are the scholarships provided by the University of Sanctuary. That's really important for every student from the across the world who's seeking sanctuary and living on campus.
"Upon arriving to the UK and this University, the University of Sanctuary was really supportive to me and have provided me with a lot of financial support, education support and other kind of support.
"For example, they helped to introduce me to many professors and departments, so I could collaborate with them along with other students".
But she says the Home Office needs to streamline their system, so people can get to the UK quicker: "It's a long process and procedure. For example, I've been in Norwich for six months and got a six month visa on my arrival here.
"Then after that I've been contacted by the Government saying I needed to register for asylum. Now I'm still just waiting for the process".
Sophie North is The University of Sanctuary's Academic Lead for our University.
She told us why they are putting this all on now: "It's really a chance for us to reflect on what it really means to be the University of Sanctuary.
"I think the current war in Ukraine reminds us more than ever about the importance we think about our role in providing sanctuary and working with people who had to leave their homes".
Ms North says they've had a positive impact so far- but can't get complacent: "The students that we've worked with really closely over the past year talk about really good experiences of being welcomed into Norwich.
"Saying that, I think it's always important that we all think about our roles in raising awareness and in thinking about how we can all learn from the people that come here".
She but she concluded by telling us that programmes like this can only go so far: "We also need local and national Government to really look at how we offer a place of welcome and never has that been more important than now.
"One of our roles is raising awareness so that we can hopefully see changes happening at a local and national level, that really do offer good support to those who need it".
It comes as the Government is due to announce its extended refugee scheme today which will see families allowed to register their interest to house someone fleeing the war in a spare room.