#WAHED2018
The National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) hosted the inaugural World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) Conference at Curtin University on November 28th. The WAHED global conference was led by the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) and supported by Northern Consortium, UK (NCUK). Representatives from Macquarie’s Widening Participation Unit were invited by NCSEHE to attend WAHED to engage with higher education practitioners to discuss student equity, equitable access, policy, research and practice. The WAHED conference aims to build broader advocacy among equity networks to help structure a collective world strategy for equitable access to higher education.
Right of Everyone to Education
Article 13 of the UN General Assembly’s 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) describes education as a right that enables people to “participate effectively in a free society”. At a micro level, education encourages individuals to fulfil their highest capacity, while at a broader macro level, it promotes tolerance, respect, dignity and peace.
Macquarie Celebrates WAHED
Macquarie’s PVC Programs and Pathways, Professor Sean Brawley, will lead a Macquarie team to Broken Hill to meet with school students and their communities. The trip, called LEAP ROADS, will engage local students with information on access and pathway opportunities to higher education, as well as offer them a peek into what is on offer at Macquarie.
The University community and a sense of belonging – The Sweetest Memory
Reflecting the spirit of WAHED, WPU has published The Sweetest Memory book. The book was made collaboratively by contributors who shared recipes, artworks and personal memories; and seeks to empower and engage our students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.
The Sweetest Memory affirms the University’s commitment to inclusiveness and the objective of developing a “culture of caring for the wellbeing of all members of the community” (Priority 3: Aligning the nature and size of the University for the future).
Solidarity, Tolerance, Respect
Globally, the movement of people forcibly displaced from their home and/or country, due to war, unrest and instability, is acute. In 2016 the United Nations launched #WithRefugees to raise awareness of the courage, resilience and positive contributions made by people forced to seek refuge in new communities and countries. #WithRefugees encourages solidarity, tolerance and respect for all people seeking safety.
Support our students
Join us in helping to alleviate the financial hardship experienced by many students at the University who are of refugee and or asylum seeker backgrounds by purchasing your copy of The Sweetest Memory.
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