What strategies can promote institutional buy-in and support for the programme across the wider university?
Universities currently engaged in hosting have used a variety of strategies to increase the visibility of their hosting programmes within their institutions. It is also the case that some programmes do not seek high visibility, either within the university or externally. Approaches to visibility, both for the programme and individual defenders, need to be context specific.
Where possible, working with existing initiatives and procedures is advisable. Integrating the defenders into teaching and research is perhaps the main way of making such a scheme visible. Pitching the argument that defenders enhance excellence in teaching and research, and help to diversify the forms of knowledge recognised and showcased, enables universities to support such a scheme in terms that are familiar to them. Trying to align with established procedures – visas, accommodation, funding, etc. – can make buy-in easier, whether the scheme seeks visibility or not.
It may also be helpful to look beyond the ‘usual suspects’ and approaches. University staff can be involved in defender selection processes; the press office and communications teams may be able to improve visibility of the programme; library staff may have access to materials and archives that can help to make the case for a programme; and so on.
On many support programmes, human rights defenders give presentations about their work and take part in public events, although this may not be possible if relocated defenders require privacy or anonymity.
Examples from the Universities of Ottawa, the Philippines and York provide useful insights into building wider institutional support for programmes.
Scholars at Risk Program
University of Ottawa, Canada
Institutional buy-in for the Scholars at Risk uOttawa Program has been facilitated since its inception as an initiative under the Provost Office and then under the Vice-President Research Office. It is managed by the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, a unit with existing linkages to several faculties.
A Multi-Sector Committee was established after the creation of the Program with academics, graduate students and other staff represented. To encourage further support from faculty members, the Association of University of Ottawa Professors was invited to name a representative to join the Committee. The Committee works mainly on recruitment/selection of scholars to host, and on welcoming the scholars and their families (assisting with settling in Ottawa), but also helps with promotion of the Program and fundraising.
By ‘cultivating ambassadors’ in different faculties and at different levels it is possible to explore placements in departments and research units, and offer success stories that serve as models for departments that have not previously participated in the Program. In addition, contact is made with the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute and the uOttawa Library to provide services for the scholars. All these initiatives increase awareness for the Program across campus.
A Sanctuary for National Minorities (Manilakbayan)
University of the Philippines
Manilakbayan is a journey by national minorities from different regions in the Philippines to Manila. It is a form of resistance against displacement, harassment, closure of indigenous schools, destruction of the environment, and the need to reclaim ancestral lands. Each year, during their journey, the University of the Philippines (UP) becomes a temporary sanctuary and a site of collective protection for around 100 people.
An ad hoc Planning Committee is formed prior to the arrival of the delegates. It is multi-sectoral in nature, composed mainly of representatives from the student community, university staff, unions, and people’s organisations outside the University. The Planning Committee coordinates with the UP administration to secure institutional support and creates a campaign plan with clear objectives, focusing on the role of the University as a bastion of academic freedom and human rights. The Committee sends a letter to the Office of the Chancellor for a formal dialogue and requests senior level institutional support for the hosting. The Planning Committee also initiates the formation of multi-sectoral subcommittees that are responsible for meeting the everyday needs of the national minorities, determining where they will stay, sustaining food, ensuring safety, transportation, and planning their interaction with academics, students, and other employees of the University.
Sending of invitations to local colleges, creating visual aids, using social media, and room to room campaigns are some of the strategies undertaken to make the constituents of the University aware of the hosting. In terms of both funding and non-monetary aid, the organisers solicit support from the administration, different sectors within the University, people’s organisations, and conduct fund-raising activities, like benefit concerts and other income generating projects. All work is done collectively and voluntarily.
image: Rommel Rodriguez
David Kato College
University of York, UK
At the University of York, a new college was named in honour of the life and legacy of David Kato, a former fellow on the University’s Protective Fellowship Programme who was murdered in 2011. David, a Ugandan human rights defender and gay rights activist, campaigned for the fundamental rights of the LGBT+ community in Uganda to be free from persecution and protected by law.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the naming of the David Kato College reflected the University’s belief in equality, diversity and inclusion. The University also stated: ‘As a University of Sanctuary, we are proud to honour his life and legacy by naming our newest college in his memory’.
Since its opening, the college has provided accommodation for human rights defenders on the York temporary relocation programme.
More information
Examples of how hosting relocated scholars has benefited students and teaching can be found in a blog on Hosting at Whitman College (Washington, US).