ATU Galway City hosts open-air exhibition on refugees’ experiences accessing higher education
On Tuesday 25th October at 1.30pm in the Café Foyer, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway city will host an open-air touring exhibition called We are here, HEAR of photographs and stories from refugees on the barriers they have experienced accessing Higher Education in Ireland.
Dr Sarah Meaney Sartori, Project Lead of We are here, HEAR, says: “This exhibition is about raising awareness about the presence of refugees in Ireland by bringing their voices into public spaces and forums for discussion and engagement. It builds on the research carried out by College Connect in partnership with the Irish Refugee Council, with over 100 people who have fled their country of origin due to fear of persecution. Many of whom have experienced trauma, torture, violence, exploitation, grief, and loss.”
Ayoma Bowe, College Connect Project Manager says: ““This collection of images and stories is a direct result of this research, and as the exhibition launches at ATU, Galway, we invite people to step into the shoes of people seeking international protection for a moment and explore some of the considerable challenges they face.”
Zoryana Pshyk, Community Educator and Trainer and Collaborator on the We are here, HEAR exhibition says: “Being a refugee, navigating the asylum process, living in Direct Provision – they all impact on a person’s ability to fully integrate and participate in Irish society. People suddenly find that their identity is stripped back to that of a legal status. As they try to rebuild their lives people face many barriers and education access is a major one.”
“We all know and understand the benefits education brings, first to the individual and then to wider society. And for this community of people, it is no different – education is key to integration, offering a foundation on which to build a secure and meaningful future for both them and their families. Furthermore, the variety of worldviews and diversity of experiences that refugee and international protection applicants bring both enriches and enhances Irish society.”
The We are here, HEAR project is funded by the Public Service Innovation Fund and was created by Dr Sarah Meaney-Sartori with the We are here, HEAR Project Team. We are here Hear has toured seven locations in Ireland to date including, DCU, DkIT, MU, TUS Athlone, TUS Limerick, MIC Limerick and Mountjoy Prison.
The exhibition can also be accessed online at www.weareherehear.ie where people are invited to leave feedback or reflections on the exhibit.
The exhibition will be on display at ATU’s North Entrance on Tuesday 25th October at 1.30pm in the Café Foyer.
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Contact
Sarah Sartori | 087 3502405
We are here HEAR is one of 20 projects funded by the Public Service Innovation Fund 2021
College Connect is a Higher Education Authority funded programme for access to higher education. The project spans four higher education colleges (DCU, DkIT, MU and TUS) who are working together with the community to support underrepresented students into and through higher education.
Dr Sarah Sartori is a researcher and educator based in Maynooth University. She is currently the research manager for College Connect. Sarah is trained in arts-based methodologies, which means taking research outside the academy and into the public space for engagement and to inspire social change.
Ayoma Bowe is the Project Manager with College Connect (PATH 3) where she leads on a project that’s about working with communities and Higher Education Institutions to help people who are furthest away from higher education to get to college to realise their educational goals and potential. College Connect’s aim is to increase the diversity of the university population, and to spread the message that #itcanbeyou.
Zoryana Pshyk is an experienced facilitator with Partners Training for Transformation as well as an associate lecturer with the Department of Adult and Community Education, MU. As an ex-asylum seeker and a current Chair for Kildare Integration Network, a member of the Newbridge Asylum Seekers Support Group (NASSG), Zoryana supports integration in County Kildare. She is a member of the Maynooth University of Sanctuary Committee. Zoryana is passionate about the education of marginalised communities, specifically women, and an advocate for social justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion.