Refugee Week debate now online

The livestream of the joint Refugee Week debate from Jesus College Intellectual Forum and the Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign is now available to watch online.

Supported by Cambridge City of Sanctuary, the event brought together perspectives from practice, policy and academia to consider the complex causes of forced migration and how migrants might be better supported.

More people around the world are displaced today than ever before. From on-going conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia to victims of trafficking, migrants from around the world come to the UK. The unprecedented scale of forced migration to Europe moved the issue high up on national policy agendas. But the support structure needed by refugees and other of forced migrants operates at regional and community level. What is the role of cities and regions in offering support?  

Using Cambridge and the East of England as examples, the debate examined how efforts in refugee resettlement and integration have played out so far. What can be done by students, families and communities, by universities, colleges and schools, and by professionals and local agencies to take on a hospitable and empowering role in responding to those who find themselves, whatever the reason, in our midst?

Speakers included: Dr Julian Huppert, Director of the Intellectual Forum; Professor Madeleine Arnot, Fellow of Jesus College, Professor in the Faculty of Education, and Co- Convenor of the Cambridge Migration Research Network, University of Cambridge; Doctor Irit Katz, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge; and Councillor Lewis Herbert, Leader of Cambridge City Council.