Refugee Week 2018 Event Listing

University College Cork will host its inaugural Refugee Week from February 5 to 9, with an exciting line-up of events for the public.

Following UCC’s designation as a University of Sanctuary by Places of Sanctuary Ireland, and the announcement of seven sanctuary scholarships starting in September 2018, the aim of Refugee Week is to bring the issues facing asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in Ireland and around the world to broader public attention.

Organised by UCC’s University of Sanctuary Working Group in conjunction with the Social Inclusion Unit, Cork City Council; and Music Generation Cork City, Refugee Week will feature activities on campus and across Cork city, focusing on the lives of asylum seekers and refugees. 

UCC's President, Professor Patrick O’Shea, will open 'Blueprints', an art exhibition by young asylum seekers at the Glucksman gallery on February 7. ‘Sorry I Drowned’, a film by Studio Kawakeb and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) will be screened throughout the week at the Glucksman, while Sam Taylor, Director of MSF Ireland, will be part of a public discussion of the film on February 8.

Showing from February 6 to 9 at the Glucksman Gallery, UCC
• 10 am to 5 pm - Foyer Gallery, Glucksman, UCC
'Blueprints' Exhibition. Artworks created at the Glucksman by an integrated group of young refugees, asylum seekers, scouts and brownies.
• 1 pm to 2 pm - Screening on a loop, Sisk Gallery, Glucksman, UCC
'Cork Young Filmmakers' short film created by young refugees and asylum seekers in partnership with Cork Film Centre.
• 1 pm to 2 pm - Screening on a loop, Sisk Gallery, Glucksman, UCC
‘Sorry I Drowned’ animation created by the Beirut-based Studio Kawakeb and Médecins Sans Frontières. Inspired by a letter allegedly found on the body of someone who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.

Monday, February 5
• 11:30 am - Cork City Library, Grand Parade
‘Becoming a City of Sanctuary’ event. Learn about Cork becoming a City of Sanctuary, hear personal stories of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants more broadly, and learn about projects that support integration in Cork City.
• 1 pm - Cork City Library, Grand Parade
The launch of an art exhibition (photography/poetry/performance/interactive activities) by Maria Wojdylo Kelly ‘Language of Life: Language of Humanity. Safety. Sanctuary. Set of Web.’ The art exhibition will be in the City Library for three weeks. It will provide an opportunity to collect the views of people living in Cork City on what a City of Sanctuary means to you. This information will be used as research in the strategic plan for Cork becoming a City of Sanctuary. Refreshments provided.
• 1:30 pm - Cork City Library, Grand Parade
Further presentations from organisations and projects that support integration and personal stories of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants more broadly.
• Afternoon/Evening
Music Generation Cork City and GMCBeats introductory hip-hop and rap workshop with young asylum seekers (private event).

Tuesday, February 6
• 11 am - West Wing 7, UCC.
‘Moving On, Moving Out: Housing Choice and Making Home After Direct Provision’. Rosie Howlett Southgate, PhD Candidate, Geography, UCC.
• 1 pm - Kane Building Room B10A, UCC
'Migrant Workers Rights in Bahrain’. Dr. Susan Martin, author of ‘The Shawlies: Cork’s Women Street Traders and the ‘Merchant City’, 1901-50’.
• 6 pm - West Wing 6, UCC
University of Sanctuary Annual Lecture 'What is Refuge, Who Decides, and How?' Professor Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair: Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts, University of Glasgow.
• Evening tour of UCC for young asylum seekers by the Visitors’ Centre (private event).

Wednesday, February 7
• 1 pm - Moot Courtroom, School of Law, Áras na Laoi, UCC
‘The Refugee Status Determination Procedure’. Dr. Dug Cubie, Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, Isaac McNamara, UCC Student Action for Refugees (STAR) Society, and Legal Officer, Nasc.
• 2 pm - Digital Arts and Humanities Room, Food Sciences Building, UCC
‘Jungala’ Calais Digital Radio Project. Kathy O’Hare, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant, SPEEDS Project UCC.
• 4 pm - Foyer Gallery, Glucksman, UCC
The official launch of 'Blueprints' Exhibition by UCC President, Professor Patrick O'Shea. Presentation of the University of Sanctuary Designation to UCC by Places of Sanctuary Ireland.
• 6 pm - Kane Building Room GO1, UCC
'The Rohingya Refugee and Humanitarian Crisis'. Sam Taylor, Director, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Haikal Mansor, Member of Rohingya community in Ireland and Secretary General of European Rohingya Council. Sam Taylor and Haikal Mansor will be available for media comment directly before the event.

Thursday, February 8
• 1 pm - Sisk Gallery, Glucksman, UCC
'In Conversation', Sam Taylor, Director, Médecins Sans Frontières.
• 4 pm - Western Gateway Building Room G04
Screening of 'Girls from Earth' film in conjunction with Action Aid. Guests from Liberia will share their experiences on FGM with those who will be attending the screening.