University pledges support to ensure Birmingham is a city of sanctuary

UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 02 NOVEMBER 2022
L-R: Birmingham City Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Brigid Jones and Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety, and Equalities Councillor John Cotton, Birmingham City University Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Plowden, and Chair of Birmingham City of Sanctuary David Brown.

Birmingham City University (BCU) has pledged its commitment to supporting the city to be a place of safety for those needing sanctuary.

Leaders from Birmingham City Council and charitable organisations attended a special event held at BCU’s City Centre campus, at which Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Plowden signed the City of Sanctuary Charter to pledge its commitment.

The Charter reflects the values and principles of the charity City of Sanctuary, a network of groups across the UK and Ireland working to build a culture of welcome and hospitality for refugees and those seeking sanctuary.

The pledge marks the first stage of BCU’s journey towards becoming a University of Sanctuary, which will see the Institution develop a range of initiatives to facilitate access to higher education for people seeking sanctuary, support local refugee communities, and raise awareness about the barriers refugees and asylum seekers face in pursuing higher education.

Birmingham City Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Brigid Jones and Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety, and Equalities Councillor John Cotton were among the guests at the event, which was also attended by Chair of Birmingham City of Sanctuary David Brown.

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