Focus on Refugee Week
News
Posted on Wednesday 18 June 2025
This week is Refugee Week, which we’re marking with a number of activities.
Yahala Mataam will be on campus tomorrow (Thursday 19 June) with their refugee-led pop-up street food stall serving delicious falafel: find them on Greg’s Place from 11.30am to 2pm.
Highlighting some recent activities in support of refugees and sanctuary:
- It’s timely that we have recently been reaccredited as a University of Sanctuary, recognising our work in welcoming forced migrants into our community and promoting a culture of inclusion.
- Common Ground, a University-funded initiative providing music workshops for the refugee and asylum seeker community, was showcased through creative workshops at York Festival of Ideas. In addition, Untold Stories of Migration and Belonging in York brought asylum seekers and York residents together at workshops curated by the Heritage for Global Challenges Research Centre. Part of a research project about hidden histories of York’s diverse communities, the Festival workshops challenged people to rethink their relationship to the city.
- Ryad Alsous: The man behind the Beekeeper of Aleppo spoke to Alumni Voices about his journey from Syria to his new life in Yorkshire and his beekeeping and community work.