The bottom-up initiative “Arqus: an Alliance Supporting Refugees’ Right to a Qualified and Unique Study Experience” aims to raise awareness and foster dialogue about the situation of refugees within our universities.
The nine universities in the Alliance are fully aware of the importance of welcoming refugees (a significant amount of work on this topic was done in Arqus I). Still, unfortunately, much remains to be done. The numbers are now staggering: over 120 million people are fleeing wars, persecution, and violence globally (source: UNHCR 2024), with these numbers constantly increasing due to the rising number of conflicts and the devastating effects of the climate crisis.
Moreover, the global political climate, increasingly inclined towards closing borders and defending them against welcoming and protecting diversity, can and must be countered with actions that involve young people, the very future of our Europe. Sharing real stories, discussing personal experiences, and sharing what our universities are already doing and what could still be improved are small but significant steps against exclusion and distrust, aimed at creating a welcoming and aware European context.
The project involves nine events, each hosted by one of the Alliance’s partner universities, following a shared format: a presentation of research on refugees in higher education by Dr Elisa Gamba (University of Padua), a screening of a documentary on the topic, and a discussion with the film’s director, Leonardo Cinieri Lombroso, alongside staff and students from the hosting university.
After each event, participants completed an anonymous survey; their responses contributed to drafting a final report.
The first event was held in Maynooth University in March 2025.
