Eastern Arc Sanctuary Network
The Eastern Arc Sanctuary Network (ESN) exists to explore ways in which we can work together to create an ‘arc of sanctuary’. We seek to provide an avenue through which our staff and students can create a stable, open and creative environment for our sanctuary scholars, researchers at risk and all those affected by issues of sanctuary to learn from and support each other.
Background
Our region has been forged by movement and migration, and has offered sanctuary for millennia. From the Dutch and Huguenot refugees of the 1600s to the Belgians in the First World War, the Kindertransport that disembarked at Harwich, the Kitchener Camps at Richborough, and the Empire Windrush docking at Tilbury, the Eastern Arc region has been the point of arrival and home for many migrants, displaced persons and others seeking sanctuary.
With the meeting of different cultures comes opportunity, but also challenge. Our history demonstrates both the prosperity that comes with migration, and the resistance and unrest that can result.
We seek to foster the former and help to address the latter. Three of our four members are already Universities of Sanctuary, with Kent currently working to gain accreditation. Through this they work to make their institutions places of safety, solidarity and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary. Such an approach aligns with the radical foundational principles of social justice that all four universities share.
Our focus on sanctuary will build on existing areas of research and activity taking place within our universities, such as the Sussex Centre for Migration Research, the Migration Research Network (UEA), the Human Rights Centre (HRC), the Centre for Migration Studies and the Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees (CTAR) (Essex).
To find out more about our work, and to take part in events going on across Eastern Arc, click below.
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Central to our work is sharing of information about events taking place across our universities that are open to all. To find out more, go to our dedicated page listing upcoming and previous events. -
ESN will focus on four areas of activity.Communication and public engagement
To work with local communities, charities and other organisations to share knowledge and develop mutual understanding.
Education and student wellbeing
To share best practice so that the specific needs of sanctuary scholars and students from migrant communities are identified and met.
Philanthropy and funding
To collaborate and identify opportunities to develop joint campaigns and funding bids to support sanctuary activity.
Research and innovation
To facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers working on issues of migration and sanctuary across the EARC universities.
There is a natural overlap and synergy between these areas, and they should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as complementary and mutually beneficial. Around and across these four areas, a range of initiatives will be undertaken, including the hosting of events, publications, training, exchanges, visits and mentoring.
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The ESN aims to develop an ‘arc of sanctuary’ to provide safety, opportunity and wellbeing for migrants, refugees and those seeking sanctuary in all its forms.
To do so the ESN will act as an interdisciplinary and intersectoral forum to facilitate knowledge exchange, joint working and sharing of best practice within and between universities and regional stakeholders, including local authorities, charities and community groups.
Through the network members can:
- Understand the wider context for those affected by and working to positively address issues of sanctuary.
- Share concerns, queries, knowledge, and insights.
- Develop collaborations with other members, which may lead to:
- Joint projects
- Visits and exchanges
- Funding applications
- Events, including symposia, conferences and workshops
- Position statements and policy papers
- Research publications
- Public engagement
- Mentoring within and between sectors.
Membership
ESN is an open and inclusive network, and welcomes a wide diversity of members. These include but are not limited to:
- Academics and researchers at the Eastern Arc universities (UEA, Essex, Kent, Sussex), or other institutions in the region;
- Professional service colleagues working in relevant areas, including:
- Public engagement
- Student welfare and wellbeing
- Philanthropy
- Corporate communications
- Those working with charities, local authorities or communities groups with an interest in or responsibility for migrants and those seeking sanctuary.
There is no membership fee, and potential members can be recommended by those who are already part of the Network, or approach the EARC Director (p.ward@easternarc.ac.uk) directly, having heard of the work through the website, social media, open events or other channels.
Accountability
The Network is an informal partnership of equals, and there are no formal governance arrangements. However, the Director will support the chair (clause 5.a) and he is accountable to the EARC Steering Committee, to whom he will report on the activity of the Network.
Review
The Network will be reviewed on an annual basis in July to ensure that its structure and activities are appropriate and meet its purpose (clause 1).
Working methods
The Network will adopt a shared learning, consensual approach, with collaborations and other activities being agreed by members. Sub-groups may be formed on an ad-hoc basis (such as to discuss philanthropy programmes, student wellbeing, Refugee Week events, etc). These will be reviewed on an annual basis (clause 4) to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Organisation
The Chair will be identified from within the Network membership, and will be supported by the Director of EARC. Together, they will be responsible for organising meetings, setting agendas, and writing the resultant minutes and action list.
Meetings
The Network will meet every two months by Teams. Additional ad hoc in-person meetings will be convened as and when appropriate, and additional conferences, workshops and other events will be organised to address specific topics or areas of interest.
Sharing of information
Information will be shared in confidence within the group unless specified otherwise (eg information on forthcoming events and publications for public dissemination).
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Membership of the Network is informal and open to all involved in or with an interest in sanctuary, migration and movement. A full list will be available shortly.