TU Dublin Host Photo-Voice Exhibition Spotlighting Education Access Barriers Faced by Refugees
From Monday, 17 April, TU Dublin will host an open-air exhibition on its Blanchardstown campus and a satellite exhibition in Rathdown House on the University’s Grangegorman Campus.
Bringing together the voices and experiences of people seeking refuge in Ireland, the We Are Here, HEAR exhibit, through a collection of photographs and stories, documents some of the barriers faced by refugees and people in the protection process aspiring to further their education.
Dr Sarah Meaney Sartori, We Are Here, HEAR Project Lead said:
“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. In partnership with the Irish Refugee Council, the College Connect team carried out research 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.”
“This collection of images and stories is a direct result of this research, and as the exhibition launches on the Blanchardstown campus of TU Dublin, we invite people to step into the shoes of those 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, said:
“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 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.”
Professor Yvonne Galligan, Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at TU Dublin, said:
“TU Dublin is committed to being an actively inclusive and diverse institution. We are working to create positive foundations that can provide an actively anti-racist, pro-diversity and tolerant culture. This exhibition is part of that activity.
Thanks to the initiative of Brid Ni Chonaill and her team, we are bringing this important exhibition to our Blanchardstown and Grangegorman campuses. Through the We Are Here, HEAR exhibition, we want to raise awareness in the University of the challenges faced by those seeking refuge and education. We know these people are part of our student body. We have a dedicated scholarship that funds 15 refugee and international protection students each year to undertake their education at our University. We also have a special one-year Access Foundation programme that supports their progress to undergraduate study at TU Dublin. Through story-telling, this exhibition will enhance our understanding of refugee students' hopes and dreams of a better life. We wish to proudly support them in realising their ambitions”.
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. It was then developed by the Maynooth University Access Programme and College Connect in collaboration with Dublin City University, the Irish Refugee Council and Dublin Castle.
The exhibition can also be accessed online at www.weareherehear.ie, where people are invited to leave feedback or reflections on the exhibit.
Exhibition Dates
The exhibition will be on display in TU Dublin’s Blanchardstown Campus from Monday, 17 April, to Friday, 28 April. On the same dates, aIn addition, a satellite exhibition will be held in Rathdown House, Grangegorman Campus.
We are here HEAR is one of 20 projects funded by the Public Service Innovation Fund 2021