UNESCO Chair on Refugee Integration through Education, Language and Arts

International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:40:00 GMT

Statement from the Colectiva of Mothers-indirect victims of feminicide “Vida para Todas” (Life for all women) for the commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women.

How the media's double standard is failing refugees

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 11:36:00 BST

Jess Casot tests whether biases extended to representation in the media, comparing how Ukrainian refugees have been visualised and reported, to refugees of other nationalities.

Out of Ashlaa’ أشلاء: Refugee Language Education in Times of Heartbreak and Failure

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 BST

Keynote presented at the BERA Conference, 10 September 2025, University of Sussex, by Alison Phipps, Khawla Badwan and Hyab Teklehaimanot Yohannes.

Superpowers and Milestones. Creating hope and communities.

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:41:00 BST

Alison Phipps's roundup of Refugee Festival Scotland 2025

Bir Kitap, Bir Sınıf, Bir Çocuk: Barış Eğitimine Davet

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:03:00 BST

Misafir akademisyen Dilara, bu blog yazısında kültürel olarak uyarladığı ve travmaya duyarlı bileşenler ekleyerek geliştirdiği UNESCO Barış Eğitimi Programı'nı içeren yeni kitabını tanıtıyor.

Finding Warmth - Alison Phipps reflects on festival at Crannog Centre

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 17:00:51 BST

Alison's article in The National, reflecting on the Rise & Shine festival The Crannog Centre and UNESCO RIELA co-organise each year up at Loch Tay.

Dr Dilara Özel Sen
Dr Dilara Özel Sen

The Importance of Peace Education in the 21st century

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:33:00 GMT

Dilara Özel Sen and Ayşegül Yurtsever about peace education and how to adapt it to schools and communities.

Photo of Nezaket Erden and Hakan Emre Ünal
Photo of Nezaket Erden and Hakan Emre Ünal

'Here to Make a Mess': Transnational Conversations with Theatre-makers #2

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:00:00 GMT

Dirmit: In Conversation with Nezaket Erden, by Erdem Avşar

Sustainable Peacebuilding: The Work of Ordinary People

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:38:31 GMT

This month Cultures of Sustainable Peace: Conflict Transformation, Gender-Based Violence, Decolonial Praxes, edited by Hyab Teklehaimanot Yohannes, Alison Phipps and Tawona Sitholé, was published by Multilingual Matters. In this blog the editors explain how the book came to fruition, against all odds.

Büke Erkoç performing in The Future Looks Bright
Büke Erkoç performing in The Future Looks Bright

'Here to Make a Mess': Transnational Conversations with Theatre-makers #1

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:00:00 GMT

The Future Looks Bright: Review (****) and In Conversation with Büke Erkoç, by Erdem Avşar

Aerial photo of New Lanark
Aerial photo of New Lanark

Reimagining Utopia in New Lanark: Heritage as a Method to Build Peace

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 07:00:00 BST

Hope Wang explores how heritage can be a pathway to peace through a participatory workshop with New Scots at the New Lanark World Heritage Site

Group of people holding patchwork quilt reading Sewing 2gether All Nations AYE WELCOME REFUGEES
Group of people holding patchwork quilt reading Sewing 2gether All Nations AYE WELCOME REFUGEES

Celebrating the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy and Delivery Plan

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 07:00:00 BST

Dr Esa Aldegheri on the launch of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy and Delivery Plan, which took place at the University of Glasgow on 19 August 2024

Projector screen showing Comrie Film Festival poster reading 'Community: A rich tapestry' on a multicoloured background of stylised figures holding hands
Projector screen showing Comrie Film Festival poster reading 'Community: A rich tapestry' on a multicoloured background of stylised figures holding hands

'When you eat together, you stick together': Power of Community

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 12:12:00 BST

Pinar Aksu reflects on resilience, solidarity, connections, and the power of community at three screenings of Ken Loach's 2023 film 'The Old Oak'

Small statue of an otter holding a scroll
Small statue of an otter holding a scroll

Word Springs Keep Flowing

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:13:00 BST

Hope Wang on co-creating the Book of Hope after the 2024 UNESCO RILA Spring School

A Story Growing from Traces

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:06:15 BST

Hyab Yohannes and Pinar Aksu about their connection with the Scottish Crannog Centre

Enhancing ESOL Learning Through Creative Approaches and Outdoor Activities

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:56:54 BST

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs traditionally take place within classroom settings, but innovative educators are exploring alternative methods to enhance language acquisition. One such approach gaining traction is teaching English through outdoor activities and creative endeavours. This blog delves into the pedagogic benefits of venturing beyond the confines of the classroom.

Wooden signpost reading, from top to bottom, 'Rome 413 leagues', 'Old Kilpatrick Fort 0.75 leagues', 'Castlehill Fort 0.6 leagues'
Wooden signpost reading, from top to bottom, 'Rome 413 leagues', 'Old Kilpatrick Fort 0.75 leagues', 'Castlehill Fort 0.6 leagues'

Walking the Antonine Wall

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:18:00 GMT

Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) Director Kat Jones on her walk of the Antonine Wall from Kilpatrick with UNESCO RILA team members, as part of her Glasgow Green Belt walk series

(B)ordering – Insights from Films

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 14:48:00 GMT

In this blog post, Dr Hyab Yohannes reflects on the concept of (b)ordering, drawing insights from three films screened during a CinemARC film night on the topic of "borderzone" on 1 February 2024

Weaving a New World

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:02:40 GMT

In which Hyab Yohannes invites us to weave a new world.

Banner reading: We Share World Heritage Refugees are Welcome! Welcome message from World Heritage UK 2023 Annual Conference
Banner reading: We Share World Heritage Refugees are Welcome! Welcome message from World Heritage UK 2023 Annual Conference

World Heritage for All: Participation, Observation and Reflection in World Heritage UK 2023 Annual Conference

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:48:00 GMT

The 2023 WHUK conference was held in Stirling with a focus on the theme “Heritage for All” from the 2nd to the 3rd of October.

White wooden statue of a dove holding an olive branch in its beak
White wooden statue of a dove holding an olive branch in its beak

Call for Immediate Ceasefire

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:01:00 BST

The UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration for Languages and the Arts calls for an immediate Ceasefire in Palestine.

View of the sea from Gaza beach
View of the sea from Gaza beach

UNESCO RILA Statement on the conflict in Israel and Palestine

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 07:45:00 BST

For over 14 years we’ve worked steadily with academic colleagues in Palestine and especially in The Gaza Strip on research projects which focus on sustainable peace, overcoming gender-based violence & growing intercultural dialogue. We are gravely concerned for our colleagues in the Gaza strip and for our collective work towards peace.

The Rise and Shine Festival - a Journey from Dawn to Dusk

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:28:51 BST

Read Hyab Yohannes' summary of the Rise & Shine festival at the Scottish Crannog Centre on 19-20 August 2023

Growing Together: Reclaiming our lost commons

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:12:00 BST

Script of Avril Bellinger and Deirdre Ford's keynote for the UNESCO RILA Spring School: The Arts of Integration 2023 (Culture Ceilidh)

UNESCO RILA Statement as the Illegal Migration Act receives Royal Assent

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:29:00 BST

The Illegal Migration Act is a new piece of legislation that has been produced by the U.K. Government with the express intention of undermining the 1951 Refugee Convention. UNESCO RILA have been campaigning against this act and keep standing strong with refugees.

We Are Living Heritage and We Share World Heritage

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:41:00 BST

Read about Hope Wang's participatory action research initiative that seeks to actively involve individuals with refugee or asylum backgrounds in three World Heritage Sites (WHSs). Through several creative co-creation workshops, designed based on Worldview theory and tailored to meet participants' needs and the nature of the WHSs, the project aims to contribute to heritage education and refugees' cultural rights. Join us!

A Story of Suffering and Hope on World Refugee Day 2023

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:09:17 BST

This is a summary of Hyab Yohannes' reflections, presented as part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's World Refugee Day Lecture, jointly presented by Alison Phipps, Hannah Thomas, and Hyab Yohannes.

The refugee condition: An existential question

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:51:00 BST

Summary in English of podcast episode 50: a conversation between Affiliate Artist Habtat Zerezghi and Dr Hyab Yohannes.

Standing Up for Human Dignity: A Joyful Challenge

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 16:40:00 BST

In a country where the right to seek asylum is rendered inadmissible and people seeking refuge are locked in barges, it can be easy to feel hopeless and helpless...

World map made out of various spices and grains stuck to paper
World map made out of various spices and grains stuck to paper

‘Use of intermediaries’ as Decolonisation pt2

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:40:00 BST

Tesfalem H Yemane and Hyab T Yohannes continue their conversation

World map made out of various spices and grains stuck to paper
World map made out of various spices and grains stuck to paper

‘Use of intermediaries’ as Decolonisation pt1

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:40:00 GMT

Tesfalem H Yemane and Hyab T Yohannes in conversation

Alison Phipps holding MIGRATION IS BEAUTIFUL poster featuring a monarch butterfly
Alison Phipps holding MIGRATION IS BEAUTIFUL poster featuring a monarch butterfly

UNESCO RILA Statement on The New Immigration Bill 7 March 2023

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:16:00 GMT

The new immigration bill, introduced on 7th March 2023, less that 12 months since the Nationality and Borders Act received Royal Assent in 2022, is entitled the “Illegal Immigration Bill’ in the Home Secretary’s letter to MPs.

Photo of a lit candle next to text reading: In Memory Tekie Alibekit 1949-2023
Photo of a lit candle next to text reading: In Memory Tekie Alibekit 1949-2023

Eulogy for Tekie Alibekit 1949 - 2023

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:43:00 GMT

Eulogy for Tekie Alibekit 1949 - 2023

Hi, Glasgow, Happy New year 兔 you!

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 17:44:43 GMT

UNESCO RILA PhD student Hope sends out a New Year greeting.

UNESCO RILA responds to Rwanda judgement

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 22:29:00 GMT

Today, a court judgement has “concluded that, it is lawful for the government to make arrangements for relocating asylum seekers to Rwanda and for their asylum claims to be determined in Rwanda rather than in the United Kingdom”. Read UNESCO RILA's response to this judgement here.

Remains of replica crannog structure standing over Loch Tay
Remains of replica crannog structure standing over Loch Tay

Playing the RoundView at the Scottish Crannog Centre

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:54:00 BST

Over the Jubilee holiday (2-3 June 2022), visitors to the Crannog centre had the opportunity to take part in an exciting new project: The RoundView, a big-picture, positive vision of sustainability that can inspire action, created by Dr Joanne Tippett and Fraser How.

Logo for the Welcoming Languages project
Logo for the Welcoming Languages project

The Welcoming Languages project reaches a milestone!

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:30:00 BST

Our partners at the Welcoming Languages Project have released an Interim Report! You can read their blog post and the report itself below.

Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace logo
Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace logo

Noyam African Dance Institute Performs at Birmingham Festival 2022

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:32:00 BST

Today, 9 August 2022, we share a moving blog piece from our partner from the CUSP Network, Nii-Tete Yartey for the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on their performative piece, 'Chain Stories'. At its core, 'Chain Stories' is about diversity and the current and historic fight of equality.

CONREP logo: Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies
CONREP logo: Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies

This report has been produced by the Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies (CONREP).

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 11:30:39 BST

This report seeks to ensure that the voices of those seeking refuge are actively sought and are clearly reflected in the development of a more humane policy.

Logo for United Nations Research Institute for Social Development

Against Capture, Cleansing and Extraction: Towards a New Eco-Social Discourse of Research and Investigation

Alison Phipps writes as part of the UNRISD Think Piece Series, The Time is Now! Why We Need a New Eco-Social Contract for a Just and Green World.

Logo for The Royal Society of Edinburgh: Knowledge made useful

RSE Blog for World Refugee Day 2022

To seek asylum and freedom from persecution is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights writes Alison Phipps for the RSE.

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

Reclaiming our Humanity from the Necropolitics of Coloniality 

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 11:06:00 BST

In this short blog for World Refugee Day (20 June), Dr Hyab Yohannes writes that we must be prepared for unconditional hospitality and non-exclusive humanity.

peace dove
peace dove

VIGIL FOR PEACE IN UKRAINE

Fri, 20 May 2022 10:08:39 BST

Alison Phipps' address from the vigil for peace in Ukraine at the University of Glasgow on 9 May 2022.

Summary Image
Summary Image

Rwanda scheme: No one should have to ask if their child will be sent away

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 15:54:00 BST

Dr Dan Fisher and John Smith Emerging Leader, Savan Qadir, critique the proposed removal of people seeking asylum to Rwanda.

Tawona Sitholé Seeds of Antiracist Education

Seeds of Antiracist Education

Poem by Tawona Sithole for the Building Racial Literacy Programme for Education Scotland (March 2022)

Summary Image
Summary Image

Hosting and welcome - some tips

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 12:07:00 BST

Some information and advice about getting involved in your community and for those considering hosting.

UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts Logo - English
UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts Logo - English

Deafening Silence: The Lack of Evidence Regarding “Pull Factors”

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:38:00 GMT

Savan Qadir explores how The Nationality and Borders bill will likely have unintended negative consequences and force people to take more risks.

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

What if we were to open up the university to “decolonial praxis”?

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 15:52:00 GMT

Dr Hyab Yohannes (CUSP N+ Academic Coordinator and UNESCO RILA Scholar) and his colleague Tesfalem H. Yemane discussed the notion of "de-colonising university".

Logo for The Royal Society of Edinburgh: Knowledge made useful

Down the waters of Loch Tay

The Scottish Crannog Centre is a living Iron Age history museum on Loch Tay in Perthshire. In this article first published in ReSourcE magazine Winter 2021, Professor Alison Phipps describes how it inspires visitors to share stories and ponder the potential of restorative integration.

UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts Logo - English
UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts Logo - English

The Nationality and Borders Bill: Benefitting people smugglers at the expense of refugees

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:38:00 GMT

The Nationality and Borders bill also aims to introduce tougher sentences for people smugglers with the aim of discouraging people-smugglers from engaging in the activity. In this blog Savan Qadir explores how this change will likely have unintended negative consequences and force people to take more risks.

Logo for RSE Young Academy of Scotland

YAS blog: The humans whose humanity is forfeited

Dr Hyab Yohannes reflects for Human Rights day on the realities of state asylum systems (external link)

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

Towards a vision of restorative integration fit for times of conflict and refuge

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 15:39:00 BST

Restorative integration is a decolonial process of re-building the unfinished project of humanity that was interrupted by colonisation and coloniality

Two people touching indentations on a small piece of pottery with their little fingers

A trip to Crannog

Hyab Yohannes, the first UNESCO RILA Studentship holder, reflects on his visit to the Scottish Crannog Centre on 4th October 2021

Colour powder event

Reducing Inequalities and Decolonising Heritage Practices: People-Centred Approaches

Link to report

UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts Logo - English
UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts Logo - English

Briefing note - Scottish Parliament debate supporting the people of Afghanistan

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 21:16:00 BST

Key messages provided to Kaukab Stewart MSP, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Kelvin, in advance Scottish Parliament debate on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan (2 September 2021)

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

We are all refugees

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 12:58:00 BST

Hyab Yohannes writes on the 70th Anniversary of the Refugee Convention and what it means for today

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

our squinty house

Thu, 27 May 2021 17:12:00 BST

In this poetic intervention, writer and poet Tawona Sitholé reflects on the February 2021 MIDEQ Symposium.

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

forest songs

Thu, 27 May 2021 17:00:00 BST

This poem is based on traditional folklore of the little bird (tsenzi) which ancient travellers relied on to escape deep forests when they were lost.

Logo for The Royal Society of Edinburgh: Knowledge made useful

RSE responds to UK Government asylum system proposed reforms

Advice paper on UK Asylum System Proposed Reforms
Chair: Prof Alison Phipps
Advice paper AD21-04 

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

Communities of Humanitarian Thought

Mon, 17 May 2021 12:20:00 BST

On 5 May The British Red Cross and Demos held the launch of an essay collection “Communities of Humanitarian Thought: The Case for Change in a Time of Crisis”. In this commentary, Professor Alison Phipps reflects on her essay “Welcoming New Scots into society from the day they arrive”.

Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries
Banner for UNESCO RILA Calabash Commentaries

Palestine - Scotland: Creating Cultures of Sustainable and Inclusive Peace

Mon, 17 May 2021 14:55:00 BST

Nazmi Al-Masri and Alison Phipps write about the current situation in Gaza, and the work of intercultural dialogue, building peace, day by day.

Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace logo
Culture for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace logo

International Women's Day - 8 March 2021

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:38:00 GMT

On IWD 2021 we celebrated the launch of our Cultures for Sustainable and Inclusive Peace Network Plus (CUSP N+) and Prof Alison Phipps contributed to a reading of the poem "Brilliance" for the women across our institution.

Logo for Bhasha - The Glasgow Language Festival 21-27 February 2021
Logo for Bhasha - The Glasgow Language Festival 21-27 February 2021

Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival 2021

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 12:53:00 GMT

Read the address given by Prof Alison Phipps at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday 21 February, International Mother Language Day.

Statue of Robert Burns in Dunedin, New Zealand
Statue of Robert Burns in Dunedin, New Zealand

“My native land sae far awa”

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:22:00 GMT

Alison Phipps addresses distinguished guests at the Glasgow Afghan United Annual Burns & Rumi Night on 19 January 2021.

Hyab Yohannes
Hyab Yohannes

‘We are still burning’

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:05:00 GMT

In this important, heart-breaking and yet hopeful piece, Hyab Yohannes PhD candidate with UNESCO RILA, writes of the survivors of Beskdira and Ona massacre in Blina Shama UK.

Migration for Development and Equality MIDEQ logo
Migration for Development and Equality MIDEQ logo

MIDEQ blog posts summer 2020

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:20:00 BST

Our team collaborate on the Migration for Development and Equality hub (MIDEQ) - and have published a number of posts about the first months of the project...

Katrin Evans reading from a book at the UNESCO RILA Spring School 2019. She is standing in front of a RILA banner and a large blue balloon in the shape of the number 2
Katrin Evans reading from a book at the UNESCO RILA Spring School 2019. She is standing in front of a RILA banner and a large blue balloon in the shape of the number 2

Spring School Keynote Listener Report (May 2019)

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:54:00 BST

Catrin Evans gives a poetic response as Keynote Listener at the 2019 UNESCO RILA Spring School

Photo of RILA team. Clockwise from top-left: Gameli Tordzro, Alison Phipps, Tawona Sitholé, Giovanna Fassetta, Bella Hoogeveen, Lauren Roberts, Naa Densua Tordzro
Photo of RILA team. Clockwise from top-left: Gameli Tordzro, Alison Phipps, Tawona Sitholé, Giovanna Fassetta, Bella Hoogeveen, Lauren Roberts, Naa Densua Tordzro

UNESCO RILA Series on GRAMNet blog (2017-2020)

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 14:59:00 BST

Details of our blog series hosted by Glasgow Refugee Asylum and Migration Network

CONREP logo: Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies
CONREP logo: Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies

Report produced the Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies (CONREP).

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 11:05:00 BST

This report was produced by our friends in the Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies (CONREP) with the aim of setting out achievable recommendations to be enacted by governments, the European Union and the media.