Scotland’s new strategy to support refugees and people seeking asylum with settling into their community was celebrated with an event at the University of Glasgow.

The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: Delivery Plan 2024-2026 - which is the most comprehensive of its kind worldwide - seeks to ensure people understand their rights, responsibilities and entitlements, and to help New Scots and communities to integrate.

Developed by the Scottish Government, Scottish Refugee Council and COSLA, the plan includes commitments to work with employers to help them recruit refugees, to identify ways to improve English language provision and to ensure services are co-ordinated effectively.

Scotland’s Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart MSP, attended the event on 19 August, together with everyone involved in making the strategy a reality - from those with lived experience of forced migration to politicians, community groups and educators.

Those attending enjoyed performances by UNESCO RILA's artist-in-residence, Dr Tawona Sithole, who gave a stunning delivery of a poem he wrote inspired by the strategy, and music by the Maryhill Integration Network's Joyous Choir. Panel sessions shared people's stories and highlighted just some of the many issues and challenges faced by those seeking sanctuary in Scotland.

L-r: Sabir Zazai; Maureen Chalmers; Kaukab Stewart MSP; Alison Phipps; Rachel Sandison

The celebration takes place as the University of Glasgow is set to announce its deepening commitment to supporting refugee and asylum seekers as a University of Sanctuary. This will include increasing the number of its Sanctuary Scholarships from 20 to 30 places, from the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year.

The Sanctuary Scholarship Scheme is available to applicants seeking sanctuary in the UK for humanitarian reasons. In addition, this year the University will introduce a scholarship in memory of former student, Dima Alhaj, who was killed in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through Education, Languages, Arts at the University of Glasgow and the New Scots Core Group Chair, Professor Alison Phipps, said: “Now more than ever in this divisive and troubling time, it is incredibly important that we come together to show a warm welcome to the people who are seeking asylum in Scotland.

“Refugee rights are human rights, and those seeking safety are trying to escape unimaginable horrors that have destroyed their way of life. I’m proud to have been a part of delivering this refugee integration strategy, which represents deeply researched; evidence-based work with people seeking asylum, and offers an exciting commitment to action across Scotland and to embedding the rights of all who seek refuge.”

Speaking at the event, she added: “A University is a place where we do things that are too difficult and where we think things that are too difficult. That’s our job, to help people to try new things.”

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Scotland has a proud history of welcoming those fleeing war and persecution, and we are dedicated to helping them integrate into communities from the day they arrive.

“It is vital that we support refugees and people seeking asylum to understand their rights and access employment and services to help them to rebuild their lives in Scotland.

“This plan, which was informed by engagement with those with experience of seeking refuge and settling in Scotland, as well as those with expertise in supporting them, lays out the steps we will take to support refugees and people seeking asylum to integrate across different parts of society. It also recognises the role communities and employers can actively play in supporting people.”

Rachel Sandison, the University of Glasgow’s Sanctuary Champion and Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement, welcomed attendees saying: “It’s a real honour to host this groundbreaking and necessary strategy in Scotland.

“At the University of Glasgow, we are committed to ensuring that we are an inclusive and welcoming campus where every member of our community feels supported to fulfil their potential. As a University of Sanctuary, we recognise the need to work alongside other institutions, cross-sector organisations and national governments to maximise our efforts, coordinate collective activity and advocate for those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes. The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy perfectly supports our ambitions of promoting fairness and equity of opportunity for all, and we are truly honoured to be able to launch this ground-breaking strategy on our Gilmorehill Campus.”

Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council Sabir Zazai said: “Global conflicts and humanitarian crises are forcing record numbers of people to flee their homes in search of safety.

“We need to see refugees as human beings, people who have a story and as a diverse group. Now is an opportunity for a different way forward, one that is compassionate and supports integration.

“The commitments set out in this plan will help those seeking protection in Scotland to rebuild their lives here in a meaningful and sustainable way. We welcome the plan and thank everyone whose views and expertise helped shape it.”

First published: 20 August 2024

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