“I am spending two weeks volunteering with Care4calais which provides food, other basic supplies and social activities, including language classes, to refugees in the Calais camp known as the ‘Jungle’. My goal is to go beyond delivering charity; to be part of collective solidarity offering strength and hope to the refugees.” Lesley McGorrigan, campaigns secretary of our UCU local association, has written a fascinating blog of her work in the Calais refugee camp over the summer. The text and photos are a real insight into the lives of the refugees there: calaiscalling.wordpress.com   … continue reading

The following motion was agreed by the all-members general meeting on 14 October. (The minutes of that meeting are subject to approval of the all-members general meeting on 25 November.) This branch notes: The worst refugee crisis since the end of World War II with millions fleeing their homes looking for refuge in Europe. Since 2000 around 30,000 migrants or refugees have died in their attempts to reach or stay in Europe, with the highest figures recorded in the past two years. The continuing plight of refugees in Calais and elsewhere in Europe escaping from war, political oppression, poverty and violence. The demonization of migrants and asylum seekers by the media and the government. The inadequate response by the Tory government, for example, only allowing in just 20,000 refugees by 2020 on a temporary basis in the first instance, and only from camps in the Lebanon. The heartening public response to the crisis e.g. collections, donations etc. That the University of Leeds is collaborating with Leeds City Council to promote Leeds as a City of Sanctuary. That other universities such as the University of East London have committed to offer at least ten postgraduate scholarships to Syrian refugees. We note … continue reading