Refugee crisis focus at York

Posted on Thursday 16 June 2016

Humanitarian leaders, journalists, educators, security specialists and refugees will discuss why so many people are fleeing their homes, the effectiveness of the international response and the media portrayal of the crisis.

Supported by the University of York’s Morrell Centre for Toleration, speakers include: Gianni Rufini, Director General of Amnesty International Italy; Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent for the BBC; Princess Vittoria Alliata, Sicilian humanitarian; Sir Vincent Fean, Former Consul-General, Jerusalem; Alan Travis, The Guardian’s Home Affairs Editor and Mostafa Salameh, author of Dreams of a Refugee: From the Middle East to Mount Everest.

Joan Concannon, Festival Director, said: “The world is seeing the largest mass movement of people since World War II. Refugees and migrants are fleeing their homelands in their thousands, desperately seeking political and economic sanctuary.

“What are the causes of such despair, and how can we plan effectively for a more secure future? Our Festival Focus Day brings together experts at the forefront of such issues.”

The University of York has created the Equal Access Fund to provide scholarships for people seeking asylum or caught up in conflict.