WIDESPREAD FINAL Event

AIM

Beyond a discussion of the project results, the three events of the project will encourage evidence-based debate and reflection amongst the academic community and the public about the key responsibility of Higher Education Institutions with regards to the phenomenon of migration, and the promotion of social inclusion and cultural diversity in European societies.

STRUCTURE OF THE WIDESPREAD EVENT

Workshop

14 December 2022, Barcelona, University of Barcelona

Socially responsible university for inclusive societies in the era of migration

In a context of increased xenophobia, cultural tensions, and toxic narratives on migrants and migration, this workshop invites the academic community and the general public to an evidence-based debate and reflection on the key responsibility of Higher Education Institutions with regards to the phenomenon of migration and the promotion of social inclusion and cultural diversity in European societies. 

In particular, the workshop will focus on the discussion of a strategic framework in which to develop the inclusion programmes and actions both at the university and the CHARM-EU alliance levels. It will feature the interventions of Alison Morrisroe (EUA – European University Association), Cristina Stefanelli (UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union), Graziella Gaglione (Sapienza Università di Roma), Agnes Sarolta Fazekas (CHARM-EU) and Cati Jerez (UB Solidarity Foundation).

UNI(di)VERSITY opens the debate on the role of universities in promoting social inclusion. The activity (in English) will take place on December 14, 2022, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in the Great Hall of the Historical Building of the University of Barcelona (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585), as a side event of the CHARM-EU Annual Conference

Prior registration is required through this link

 

Time

Programme item

14:15-14:25

UNI(di)VERSITY in a nutshell

Graziella Gaglione, Sapienza University

14:25-14:35

Inclusion strategies as key points in the University of the future (and the present). Strategic framework. Reflections and questions

Cati Jerez, University of Barcelona

14:35-15:00

Group work

15:00-15:20

Inputs from European University Alliances about inclusion initiatives: CHARM-EU, CIVIS, EUTOPIA (to confirm), UNITE (to confirm). 5 minutes each.

Agnes Sarolta Fazekas, Eötvös Loránd University, CHARM-EU 

Silvia Arias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Civis

15:20-15:30

Conclusions

15:30

End of workshop

 

Screening of the documentary

“Refugees Students”

15 December 2022, 19.00 CET, Cinema Farnese, Rome

On the occasion of the International Migrants Day, UNIMED and Sapienza University invite you to the Cinema Farnese in Rome on Thursday 15 December at 7.00 pm for the first screening of “Refugee Students”, the documentary film which tells the story of three university students who are refugees in Rome and Barcelona. Refugee Students enter the lives of Robina, Bozhena e Sofia, capturing what it means to be a refugee, the difficulties, the traces of the past, their cultures, and above all the new opportunities that Europe is giving them.

The documentary

In Rome at the Sapienza University, the protagonist is the Afghan student Robina, who arrived in Italy in 2020 thanks to the Mentorship programme of Sapienza University, which gave many refugees the opportunity to enrol at the university, and obtain a scholarship to move to Italy. The documentary filmed her life, her exams, the renewal of documents, and some intimate moments with her family. Besides her, many other Afghan students arrived. We see them with Robina at university exams, they meet for a walk, or for dinner. They share this new life by supporting each other. Interaction with Italian people is also part of Robina’s new life, as well as the meeting with her close friend Lucia. She is a volunteer at Sapienza in coordinating the arrival of refugees, and among them was Robina with whom a beautiful friendship was born.

At the University of Barcelona the protagonists are two Ukrainian girls: Bozhena and Sofiia. They met in Barcelona during the University’s Spanish language course, which was conceived to integrate refugee students into degree courses. They became good friends and comforted each other. Bozhena had more luck, and she came by plane because her sister was already based in Barcelona. Sofiia, on the other hand, with her mother and two younger sisters, managed to arrive after 7 days of travelling by car in Spain. During the integration course at the University of Barcelona, they continue to study with the Ukrainian university through online classes. We see them during lessons, the university placement process, and while they call their friends in Ukraine. By following their interactions we will understand how a war leaves an indelible mark, but being young they still manage to look to a positive future.

Director: Leonardo Cinieri Lombroso

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/759443019

Duration: 65′

 

Webinar

The social responsibility of universities in the era of migration

16 December 2022, 10.00 CET, online

The European University Association (EUA) is pleased to present a webinar on the social responsibility of universities in the era of migration. This webinar will present the outcomes of the UNI(di)VERSITY project and showcase the crucial role played by higher education institutions in fostering the social inclusion of migrants and cultural diversity. Held shortly before International Migrants Day (18 December), this event aims to engage in the global conversation about migration and encourage key stakeholders in the field to further support the inclusion of migrants in higher education by leveraging the project’s results after its conclusion. Registrations are open until 16 December.

Participation is free of charge and open to all EUA members as well as anyone with an interest in the inclusion of migrants with a refugee(-like) background in higher education.

Speakers

  • Henriette Stoeber, Policy Analyst, Higher Education Policy Unit, European University Association
  • Cati Jerez, Coordinator, Refugee Support Programme, University of Barcelona
  • Graziella Gaglione, Head of Internationalisation of Didactics and European Programmes Office, Sapienza University of Rome
  • Cristina Giudici, Assistant Professor in Demography, Department of Methods and Models for Economics, Territory and Finance, Sapienza University of Rome
  • Cristina Stefanelli, Project Manager, UNIMED
  • Lina Senen, Research Assistant, Diversity Lab, Utrecht University
  • Chaired by Alison Morrisroe, Policy and Project Officer, Higher Education Policy Unit, European University Association

Webinar Programme

Time

Programme item

10.00

Welcome from EUA and housekeeping

Alison Morrisroe, EUA

10.05

Presentation of objectives of UNI(di)versity project

Graziella Gaglione, Sapienza University

10.10

Presentation of UNI(di)versity Atlas of Inclusion

Henriette Stoeber, EUA

Q&A

10.20

Presentation of Toolkit for University staff and services

Cati Jerez, University of Barcelona

Q&A

10.30

Presentation of Refugee Inclusion Programme and Diversity Strategy from Utrecht University

Lina Senen, Utrecht University

10.40

Launch of Strategic Framework for socially responsible universities in the era of migration

Cristina Giudici, Sapienza University

Q&A

10.50                                   

Launch of documentary “Refugee Students”

Cristina Stefanelli, Project Manager, UNIMED

10.55

End of webinar

Alison Morrisroe, EUA