To mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, University colleagues have come together to host a series of events from the 4-11 December which reflect on the fundamental principles of the declaration.
This special series of events is open to all at the University and our wider civic community, as a University of Sanctuary. These sessions also form part of our collective efforts to raise awareness about becoming a University of Sanctuary establishing a culture of welcome where people feel valued and safe.
Panel discussion on working with refugees with local and national charities that support those seeking asylum and refuge
Monday 4 December 16:00-18:00, Building 29/1101.
Speakers: Mr Stash Kozlowski, with the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG), Mr Simon Tyler, Executive Director of ‘Doctors of the World UK’ (DoTW), part of the Médecins du Monde network, Ms Nikki Walters, head of CLEAR project, and Ms Claire Giles, Sanctuary coordinator, University of Southampton (Sanctuary Scholarship).
Both the CLEAR Project and SWVG have worked over many years to support asylum seekers and refugees in and around the Southampton and Winchester area. Speakers will share insights from this work providing first hand examples of what everyday life is like for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK in an increasingly hostile legal and public policy environment. DoTW is based in London, and will offer a perspective from a medical charity offering services for people who cannot access the NHS services. Claire will introduce the University’s Sanctuary programme and how staff and students can be involved.
No need to register, please just drop by.
The Future of Human Rights
Wednesday 6 December 17:00-19:00, Building 58/1009.
This event brings together a panel of academics who work on human rights to engage in a “Question Time” style conversation.
Register for the event on Eventbrite.
Refugee Convention: Still Fit For Purpose?
Monday 11 December 18:00-19:30, Avenue Campus Building 65/Lecture Theatre C.
The United Nations’ Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, also known as the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951, is an important element of a group of post-war human rights initiatives that accompanied the 1948 Declaration of Universal Rights. This talk will explore the background to the Convention itself and how it defined refugees. With some arguing that it should be scrapped and others that it needs expanding in scope, I will ask whether it is still fit for purpose at a time when the number of refugees and displaced in the world has never been greater.
This event is in-person; please reserve a space via Eventbrite.
SIAH Public Life with Kingsley Abbott
Tuesday 12 December, 17:00 – 18:00, online.
Kingsley Abbott will be talking about the significance of research to Human Rights lawyers; the surprises and challenges of moving from his life as a lawyer into an academic setting; and what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights means in its 75th Anniversary year.
In conversation with Stephanie Jones, Professor of Literature and Law at the University of Southampton and Co-Director of Southampton Institute for Arts and Humanities.
Reserve your spot through Eventbrite.
On becoming a University of Sanctuary
The University has now submitted its application towards becoming a University of Sanctuary. For further information please visit the City of Sanctuary website or email [email protected].
Further information about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be found on the Amnesty website.
Established by the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a document that globally maps freedom and equality – protecting the rights of every individual, everywhere. Created in 1948, this marked the first time countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection in order for every individual to live their lives freely, equally and in dignity.