University of Sanctuary principles

A UNIVERSITY of Sanctuary must follow three main principles in order to qualify, as follows:

1. Learn

Learning about what it means to be seeking sanctuary, both in general and at a university. This encompasses any activity that involves training staff, teaching students or holding events to raise awareness of what seeking sanctuary involves.

2. Embed

Taking action to embed concepts of welcome, safety and inclusion within the institution and the wider community.

This involves ensuring that a sustainable culture of welcomeness is established within the institution to bring about far-reaching, tangible and long-lasting changes.

3.Share

Sharing the university’s vision, achievements, what they have learned and good practice, with other universities, the local community, the media and others.

Dublin City University, University of Limerick, University College Dublin and University College Cork have each been designated a University of Sanctuary.

Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University and NUI Galway also want to join the programme.

Latest figures from the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, show that at least 65.6 million people have been forcibly displaced within their own countries or across borders.