The VUB will give an honorary doctorate to two recipients: Dr Emma Bonino and the people of the Island of Lampedusa. The reason they get such an award is discussed throughout the conference organised by the VUB International Relations office, looking at the different aspects of refugees and migration, and the role higher education plays.
You’d have to have been stuck on a remote island without any form of communication not to be aware of the influx of refugees into Europe these past several years. Politically speaking elections have been run on the topic, and won or lost. Debates have been held in parliaments, restaurants, people’s dining rooms and shop floors across Europe. It is a topic very difficult to ignore in the media, social or otherwise.
Emma Bonino and the people of Lampedusa?
You are probably wondering why Emma Bonino and the people of Lampedusa were chosen to receive the honorary doctorate. Here’s why:
Emma Bonino is a former EU Commissioner for consumer rights and humanitarian affairs, and a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), and has always been outspoken: in favour of abortion, women’s rights, abolishing the death penalty and pro-euthanasia. She has been a strong voice for refugees and migrants ever since she took office in 90s. She strongly believes that one of the main civil rights issue of our time is the rights of migrants.
Similarly, the people of Lampedusa are being honoured. The island has become the main gateway to Europe for refugees coming from North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. The continuous influx has had a huge impact on the people of Lampedusa. Most of them come from fishing backgrounds and as a community they are used to helping each other. The last couple of decades they have extended this generosity towards the refugees.
Dr Pietro Bartolo will come to Brussels on 29 November to receive the award on behalf of his fellow-islanders. He’s been their main representative in the media, speaking out not only on behalf of the refugees, but also as the voice of the people of Lampedusa, honouring them, speaking up for them and their own hardship in dealing with the flow of new arrivals. Check out the documentary ‘Fire at Sea’ for more on Lampedusa and its people. You can find out more about Dr Emma Bonino and the people of Lampedusa by checking some posts on the VUB International Relations office’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/VUBInternationalRelations
The role of the university
So, what’s our role in all this? Once the refugees spread across Europe, they need help with integration, languages, getting work and housing, and of course with education. Quite a few had to stop their education, never got a chance to start or finish one. Giving them this opportunity will be in everyone’s interest: whether they stay on in their new home countries, it will help their chances of integration and finding work. If they decide to go back home eventually, it will help them reconstructing their countries and their lives there.
As a university, we have a moral duty to help. We are an academic institution, and as students we are guided by the principles of our Universitas thought.
So as a university, what do we have to say about it? You can find out by coming to the event on 29 November held in Flagey – come for the day, come for parts of it, whichever suits you best, but come to some of it at least, as it is a topic which should engage any student at the VUB.
Participate in the Doctor Honoris Causa Day
->Come and find out what the VUB has already done in terms of research in relation to refugees and migration.
->Come and hear how the university is rebooting its welcome refugee programme.
->Come and listen to the stories of youth brought up on the streets of Bolivia and among rebels in Colombia.
->Come and discover what the Scholars at Risk network does to ensure academics can continue their work without having to fear threats or imprisonment.
->Come and learn more about Emma Bonino’ and the people of Lampedusa and what they have done to deserve this award.
Register now: http://www.vub.ac.be/events/2017/doctor-honoris-causa-day-ever-engaging-values-education-and-responsibilities-refugees