Launched in 2020, World Changing Glasgow Conversations is our online events series which seeks to connect colleagues, students, friends, partners, and alumni from across our Team UofG community to deliver change and create impact through meaningful debate and discussion. Since its conception, the topics covered as part of the series have ranged from the search for the Covid-19 vaccine to our work on reparative justice and have provoked highly insightful and stimulating discussions.
In November 2022, the University of Glasgow was officially awarded University of Sanctuary status, and as an institution, we have always been dedicated to ensuring that background and life circumstances are never a barrier to higher education for the brightest minds. We aim to be an inclusive and welcoming campus where every member of our community feels safe, respected, and supported to fulfil their potential. Being awarded University of Sanctuary status is a testament to our commitment to promoting fairness and equity of opportunity for all.
On Tuesday 20 June, the session was chaired by our Deputy Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement and Sanctuary Champion, Rachel Sandison, and built on the official theme of Refugee Week 2023, Compassion. Panel members also included Sabir Zazai, CEO of the Scottish Refugee Council, Gün Orgun, Volunteer Development Coordinator at the Scottish Refugee Council and Coordinator for Scotland and Northern Ireland for the City of Sanctuary UK, and Mohammad Varchandi, Sanctuary Scholar at the University of Glasgow. This event focused on the importance of collaboration and connectivity and explored how through collective action we could work together to ensure that we supported those who were seeking sanctuary.