Sanctuary
refuge or safety from pursuit, persecution, or other danger.
The York Sanctuary Fund
Supports the continued work of the University and the region, as a place of sanctuary and learning to those seeking refuge away from their homeland.
The York Sanctuary Fund | A life line to education
The University of York was founded on the principles of excellence, opportunity, and a strong social purpose, our character being to always welcome those who have been excluded. As a community we are here to do things which contribute to the amelioration of human life and conditions, The York Sanctuary Fund is our next step in that commitment.
We know access to higher education has the power to transform peoples’ lives. It can enable learners to develop the skills and capabilities that are needed to thrive in a global community. For many, University is this platform for opportunity and creativity, an invitation to a community without borders. Today, millions of people around the world are denied this chance, not due to lack of ability or passion but circumstances beyond their control. Many find themselves displaced without the security, comfort and opportunities that many of us are privileged enough to expect as a right.
At a time when 1 in every 88 people on earth has been displaced, the role of a University of Sanctuary is more important than ever before.
The fund will enhance the work of the University's three key support programs, they are:
- The Equal Access Scholarship Fund
- The Human Rights Defenders Programme at the Centre for Applied Human Rights
- The Council for At Risk Academics fellowships within the University of York.
These funds stand united in their ambition, which is to afford our scholars a place of safety and the (mental and physical) space to develop a home away from home, to continue to build their knowledge and to influence the world around them.
“With the sudden fall of the international community backed-government in Afghanistan, I lost my job, and the savings that I secured in the bank for my family's needs and to invest in my education in the future. The Taliban captured Kabul and had started targeting people like me. All people were scared and no one could imagine the sudden collapse of the government. Days and nights were passing in fear as the Taliban were walking in the streets looking for people who were educated and had reputations in the community.
I was feeling hopeless and was thinking about my survival and future education. Then I explained my situation to the University of York and sought their support.
York has smiled at me in that difficult time by sponsoring my education to pursue my dreams and ensure my future. This scholarship ensured my survival as my life was completely in danger back in Afghanistan.”
Crisis forces us to react but we need to anticipate.
Mohammed was able to come to York because of an emergency appeal and the quick response of our funder community. In the future we must be proactive when it comes to our support, to ensure we can act when need is greatest and without the consequences of delay.
We need to go further to meet the need, to protect current and future students and colleagues, to truly be a University of Sanctuary.
What do we need to do?
Great universities share a common, fundamental and defining mission: to seek knowledge and deepen our understanding of ourselves, the world and our place within it. As a University that exists for public good, we have a responsibility to our global community to be responsive and do more.
But many people are falling through the gaps of our support. Every year at York we receive hundreds of applications from passionate and dedicated learners who need additional support, and we regretfully have to turn the majority away, we are oversubscribed. Even when successful, some are unable to accept knowing the support is not sufficient to their needs. Building a fund will allow us to react to changing circumstances at pace, ensuring the help and support needed can be accessed without delay and away from danger, saving lives.
How will this work?
Flexibility is key. The Sanctuary Fund will respond to the huge challenges faced by students,academics and human rights defenders from around the world.
The creation of the fund will mean that we can offer sanctuary when it is needed without the pressure or limits of a funding cycle. It enables donors to support the University's commitment to being a place of sanctuary whilst allowing the flexibility to allocate funds where there is the greatest need. We may live in an unstable world but as a University of Sanctuary we must offer sustainable, reliable sources of support to those facing crises.
Building on our existing support
Our mission now is to expand the support we have available through our three donor-supported programs by growing the York Sanctuary Fund. We want to create a sustainable and responsive fund, unlocking a more realistic package of support to people seeking sanctuary. A fund which takes into consideration the multiple challenges they face, the unpredictable nature of global issues impacting them and the increasing need for this type of support.
In addition to offering Scholarship and Fellowship funding, the Sanctuary Fund will provide support for incidental costs and expenses, which are vital to individuals who are fleeing conflict, war, or persecution. In capturing the experiences of our scholars, and talking to those who day in and day out are working to support their needs, we recognise that no one person is the same and that this must be reflected in the support we offer.
But we need you, our alumni, supporters and friends, to make that happen.
Demands on these funds are growing, and without the support of donors like you and the ability to support additional (and often unexpected) expenses, we will be unable to respond to future crises in this way.
Equal Access Scholarships
Standing with asylum seeking students
Equal Access Scholarships were established at the University of York in 2016 in response to the urgent need to support students affected by the worsening situation in Syria, and to support those from other regions who are seeking asylum.
Many have faced conflict, oppression and huge challenges, making the difficult decision to leave their homes and seek a place of safety and refuge. Academically promising students who could contribute to the future of their countries or to the UK economy are unable to study in the UK beyond the age of 18 as they are not eligible for any form of government loan towards university fees or living costs.
The financial cost of attending university continues to be a huge barrier (one of many) between ambition and access for students worldwide. UK government rules mean that universities have to charge international fees to sanctuary seeking students, meaning any hope of continued education is often completely out of reach.
The Equal Access Scholarship offers a lifeline into education, with support towards both their fees and living costs. Each student receives a full fee waiver from the University, support for language tuition via our International Pathway College, and an award for living expenses funded through the generosity of donors like you.
York Sanctuary Fund
Nazia | LLM International Human Rights Law
“I can not describe the feeling in words, it felt like I found the purpose of my life. It was the best feeling knowing that my life will change forever with this scholarship and degree. When Afghanistan was going through the worst phase of its history- finding this opportunity gave me a new life, new hope, new purpose to follow.
This scholarship will enable me to study International Human Rights law and practice to bring difference in this world through defending the rights of people. Thank you for changing my life- for giving me this opportunity to get my degree and help my fellow humans in the future.”
Mohammad Fahim Hotak | MA Public Administration and Public Policy
“During my academic year, I had the opportunity to explore York and extend my networking circle with some international friends through attending many events organised by the Student Union on campus and joining the University-arranged tours to different places. I enjoyed the University student tour to Whitby where I visited the historical castle, beach and enjoyed the boat trip there. I also had the opportunity to receive the York Sport Centre membership to do daily fitness and to take care of my health and physical wellbeing. Last but not least, I received a paid part-time job offer from OPPA as a Research Assistant, through which I was able to enhance my skills and receive some money so I can support my family back in Afghanistan.”
Mamoon Khawar | PhD Politics
“Getting a scholarship at the University of York – one of the prestigious institutions in the world – is an honour that one can appreciate in his/her entire life. York is beyond an academic institution. It has been a real home to all its students, mainly to minorities and those who experienced problems and other dilemmas in their places of origin. As a University of Sanctuary, York provides equal access opportunities and support to all students, especially to those who sought protection in the UK, through academic departments, faculty members, personal supervisors, societies, and dedicated specialists at various levels depending on students’ needs. York has such a warm embrace that it even thinks about a student’s future through building their careers, and personal and professional skills.”
Jesse Mou | BA Politics
“Higher education should bring people something other than textbooks and exam papers, and the core of which should be “independent thinking and freedom of spirit.” What is important to me about higher education is that I want to have the option to choose work that is meaningful to me and achieve my ambitions. So every day I am appreciative of the scholarship that has helped me to access higher education in the UK.
The scholarship has completely changed my career prospects, and although I currently have over eight years of experience working for Chinese human rights, my career options are very limited without an undergraduate degree. However, my future options have been greatly enhanced by studying a BA at York. On the one hand, I am able to learn about democratic politics (something I could never learn at any university in China) and gain more academic skills, while on the other hand, I am able to use my knowledge to improve my research on China and international geopolitics.
I am looking forward to using my knowledge to defend democracy and liberty. This opportunity is not just about career prospects. You have completely changed the world of vision, and destiny of a young woman who was from a totalitarian state. This is now allowing me to learn things I would never have learnt before, which is not only the realisation of my own dream, but also a great comfort for my parents. I appreciate all your help so much!”
Mohammed Ali Siyadat | MSc Management
“Humanity and kindness have no borders. I would like to say thank you from the bottom of heart to donors who think of the empowerment of humankind. I would say that your donation saved my life and positively impacted my family life. Because of this scholarship, I am an empowered person, more knowledgeable. I can not imagine what would have happened if I were still in Afghanistan, due to my background working with international NGOs, the former Afghan government and most importantly the British Army as an interpreter. My life was definitely in danger and now I am feeling safe in the UK. The impact of this scholarship cannot be expressed in words and the feeling is intangible. I wish all my scholarship donors a happy life and say thank you very much for your heartfelt contribution.”
Dr Tracey Clarke | Student Support and Advice Coordinator
“I am humbled to be involved in supporting our remarkable scholars and sanctuary-seeking students. From pre-arrival welcome, transition into University life and offering ongoing support through the twists and turns of the University- and their life- journey, the resilience, drive and optimism shown by these students is inspirational and makes it a privilege to work with them.”
Thanks to the support of our donors, we have been able to increase the number of scholarships available to try and meet demand, however, we understand that crises are never scheduled.
“I have seen how the Equal Access Scholarships can positively change the lives of people who, due to no fault of their own, may find themselves in an extremely vulnerable position. Education and the stability that this scholarship provides enables a person to rebuild their life and make a home.”
Protecting defenders and political space
The Centre for Applied Human Rights
“While in York I haven't had to check at any point who is walking behind me and I have no worries about anything terrible happening or people trying to murder me. I’m excited to be at the Centre for Applied Human Rights, to gain knowledge from the lecturers, staff and fellows from across the world, who have experienced challenges as a result of their human rights work.
Without the support from other human rights defenders I would not be like this; we really need each other at all levels. Human rights is everyone's business.”
As a University of Sanctuary, our vision of sanctuary goes beyond safety and protection. It is about preparing students, Human Rights Defenders and refugees for the next phase of their lives; giving them space to reflect, to develop skills, and to acquire knowledge that equips them then to engage with the world in an active, more energised and effective way than perhaps they would have been unable to do otherwise.
For over 14 years, the Centre for Applied Human Rights has provided a unique, effective and integrated programme to support Human Rights Defenders (HRD) from around the globe. To date the centre has hosted over 90 Fellows from 48 countries with each defender bringing with them their own practical experience and knowledge.We have established a global reputation, informed by signature interventions such as the Human Rights Defenders Hub, York becoming the UK's first Human Rights City, and innovative sector leading research.
The Protective Fellowship scheme aims to tackle injustice and challenge violations of human rights in some of the world’s most troubled regions by:
- Providing a place and time of safety for Human Rights Defenders at risk;
- Strengthening resilience among Human Rights Activists and offering a safe space for knowledge exchange and respite
- Building the capacity of the organisations they serve;
- Building sustainable programmes of human rights activism
- Creating a broader impact by incorporating Human Rights Defenders’ experience into the heart of research, teaching and dissemination among the international human rights community
- A focus on wellbeing and respite away from often dangerous and uncertain circumstances
The critical difference between the York Protective Fellowships and other programs of its kind, is the prioritisation and protection of Human Rights Defenders themselves. Often working in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances, the scheme allows them both a break and an opportunity to re-energise, recharge and to rethink how they want to do their work going forward in a safe place.
The Centre shapes the Fellowship to meet the needs of the defenders rather than selecting those who best fit academic criteria. We are supporting the freedom of movement of knowledge and the belief that education is a catalyst for change and development. With your support the University can use the space that it holds internationally, to champion others in their missions to do public good and continue to challenge human rights injustice across the world.
“York University’s Protective Fellowship for Human Rights Defenders at Risk is a successful model of how universities can provide meaningful spaces for defenders to find safety, to share their experiences, and network with their peers. Open Society Foundations are proud to support its extended pilot initiative for 18 months for defenders who need a longer term placement. We need more actors to step up and provide medium and long term solutions for those defenders who are on the frontlines.”
“I feel totally privileged to work with these people. Their presence is a phenomenal benefit to students in the field of human rights…it is real life applied learning. We need to hear the real world views, we need to hear the disrupting voices and every year is so different. It made me realise what you can do on your own doorstep and how as a university our impact could be much greater.”
“One of the best things about the centre is it brings inspiring and incredibly brave people together to interact with our staff and students. It is easy for human rights to become abstract, but this scheme keeps us grounded; it feels real because of the experience people bring; it’s why our students come here. It’s different from other places; it’s the heartbeat of the centre and it would be a sad day if it turned out it was not financially sustainable. It would be a great loss to the fabric of the University.”
David Kato was a Ugandan human rights defender and gay rights activist that had a significant impact on the rights of LGBT+ people in Uganda. In 2010, David Kato came to the University of York for six months as a Protective Fellow on the Human Rights Defenders Programme at the Centre for Applied Human Rights. Shortly after his time in York, David returned home but was murdered in 2011.
As a University of Sanctuary, we are proud to honour his life and legacy by naming our newest college in his memory.
University of York CARA fellowships
Protecting at-risk academics
“When countries are destroyed by inner strife or indeed by external interference, the first people that we need, who are the intellectual DNA of society, are academics.”
As a member of Cara network of UK HE institutions, we help to provide a lifeline for at-risk academics, those who are at risk of arrest, injury or even death due to the nature of their work or their personal situations.
Through this program, we equip academics with practical and financial help, finding a place for them to continue their work in safety. The Fellowships also provide a refuge for their families and aids communication and collaboration with colleagues within the wider academic and scientific communities.
Each time we are approached by our partner Cara to host an at-risk academic, after ensuring their academic alignment with York’s, we must find the financial support to host Fellows. A number of strong academics have previously applied to be hosted by York and have been accepted by Departments, but were unable to accept their place as there was no funding to cover stipend or study costs.
With the support of the Sanctuary Fund we hope to never have to turn an at-risk academic away and instead we want York to be a realistic proposition for colleagues seeking refuge and wanting to share their knowledge and experience with our University community. We want to react more swiftly to the opportunity to host at-risk academics by ring-fencing funds for one UoY-Cara Fellowship on an annual basis.
“I came here in November 2020 with the help of CARA to do a postdoc at the University of York in Martin Fascione’s lab in the chemistry department…the different experiences and skills that I’ve learned in this short space of time, they’ve boosted not only my confidence but also my outlook to any future career I might have.”
“I first became involved with CARA when they contacted me to say we’ve got a chemist from Aleppo who wants to come and work with you and we would provide a fellowship for two years. I followed up and managed to talk with Husne…and he and his family came to York. Personally, I am really pleased to be a part of a University of Sanctuary and that the city is too, this is a welcome sign for displaced people who want to come here and know that we will do our best to support them. When Husne arrived in York from Syria he got amazing support from the University but also from the city. There were a number of people in different parts who helped, particularly with the family - it takes lots of different people to support a family like that and really make a go of it.”
Our ambition | The future of the fund
The Sanctuary Fund aims to inspire further support for the University of York as an institution of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary. This type of support is not just for one student or just one fund, but is part of a collective effort for the University of York to truly be a place of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary and to highlight that York is a welcoming and safe community for refugees, asylum seekers and others who have been forced to migrate.
We wish to engage enough philanthropic support to go beyond the needs of each individual fund if and when the need arises, as we know it will.
We recognise that it is not only financial support that makes a difference to how our scholars are welcomed and supported at York and we will continue to invest in all of the wrap-around support that we know makes a difference to the lives of our scholars and their families. In the words of Maryam Taher, a former Equal Access Scholar and University of York alum, who is now working as regional coordinator for the University of Sanctuary national network, your support offers hope:
“As a refugee student, I was not entitled to a government student loan, which normally allows students to continue their education at university. My education has always been my priority in life, and knowing that I could not pursue my studies was devastating and daunting. This scholarship gave me hope that regardless of my status, I still deserve an education. Opening the acceptance letter was one of the happiest moments of my life, an unforgettable opportunity that my family and I will forever be grateful for, and which would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of my donors.”
Our aspiration for the fund is to allow us to step away from emergency appeals and make our support more sustainable, and a more realistic package of support, taking into consideration the multiple challenges someone seeking sanctuary might face.
Fund York Sanctuary for the public good
The York Sanctuary Fund is the right combination of ambition and determination needed for success, challenging what we do well to make it even better for the future of our Sanctuary community. Together as a University of Sanctuary, in a City of Sanctuary, we can pool our resources and affect change for the public good.
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Bringing the The York Sanctuary Fund to life |
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|
Area of Focus |
Activity |
Total annual cost |
Three years of support |
Five years of support |
|
Standing with asylum seeking students |
Equal Access two full UG scholarships |
£73,800 |
£221,400 |
£369,000 |
|
Equal Access one PGT/PGR scholarship |
£14,880 |
£44,640 |
£74,400 |
|
|
Equal Access two PhD scholarships |
£125,000 |
£375,000 |
£625,000 |
|
|
Protecting defenders and political space |
CAHR - three HRD fellowships (3 months each) |
£24,835.50 |
£74,506.50 |
£124.177.50 |
|
CAHR - three HRD fellowships (6 months each) |
£39,630 |
£118,890 |
£198,150 |
|
|
Emergency support |
£75,000 |
£225,000 |
£375,000 |
|
|
Protecting academics at risk |
UoY CARA at risk Fellowship (one per annum) |
£62,500 |
£187,500 |
£312,500 |
Together, will enable more York students, at-risk academics and Human Rights Activist’s the chance to thrive and to re-start a new phase in their lives, whatever their reasons for joining us.
By putting this basic support in place, we can react to unpredictable demand for particular cohorts of students and at-risk academics, such as our cohort of scholars from Afghanistan and Ukraine alongside the support we can extend to others.
“With good quality education, an individual stands the chance to lead a happy life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer. University builds confidence in a person creating equal opportunities for everyone. It opens a whole world of opportunities and makes one wiser to make their own decisions.”
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