College celebrates international diversity and pledges to become a ‘College of Sanctuary’
Last week, Edinburgh College’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) department hosted an international festival day across campuses. The events provided an opportunity to celebrate different cultures, with students from the department sharing things about their countries with others - including homemade food and traditional dress - while raising money for UNICEF and the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital.
The students, from countries including Vietnam, Ukraine, Morocco, Syria and Afghanistan , arranged the events as part of their course work and was an opportunity for them to develop their planning, networking and communications skills, as well as using their English Language skills to converse with attendees. The events raised £600 for the charities.
This is the third International Festival Day we’ve hosted within the ESOL department and this year’s event was bigger than ever. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved and proudly sharing their cultures with each other, as well as with the rest of our student body and College staff. The events were a true celebration of the diversity within our classes, a huge well done to all of the students who were involved.Head of School College-based ESOL, Sarah Donno
The event coincided with International Migrants’ Day on 18 December, and aligned, more broadly, with the College’s ongoing work to ensure it provides a warm welcome and tailored support to all who choose to study here.
College of Sanctuary
As part of this ongoing effort, Edinburgh College, recently signed an organisational pledge committing the College to work towards becoming a ‘College of Sanctuary’ during this academic year.
The College of Sanctuary award (developed and overseen by the wider City of Sanctuary network) recognises – and seeks to enhance – the work colleges do in providing support and opportunity for refugees, asylum seekers and those seeking sanctuary in the UK.
As part of the process, the College has established an internal staff working group that will engage with sanctuary seeking students, identify opportunities to enhance support and raise awareness among the wider student and staff cohort of the challenges faced by those seeking sanctuary.
College is a place for everyone. For decades, our College has welcomed those from across the world seeking sanctuary from violence, insecurity and persecution. Through the education we provide, our college and our staff offer vital opportunities to these students and, working with our partners, support them to integrate into life in their new communities in Edinburgh and across our region. In pursuing this award, we are making a statement about the sort of College we are – one that supports inclusion, values diversity and provides sanctuary to those who need it most. We currently have around one thousand students studying with us from a sanctuary-seeking background. We hope the process of working towards this award will improve all aspects of the Edinburgh College experience for them and those coming to the College seeking sanctuary in the future.Principal Audrey Cumberford