Refugee week is launched today in Dublin University with students living on €21.60 this week

Dublin City University today launched “Refugee Week” to raise awareness of the issues and challenges facing people who are currently living in D​irect P​rovision centres in Ireland.

One of the key highlights is the €21.60 campaign with a number of students living on €21.60 per week and documenting their experiences on social media.

The move is part of an effort to highlight the difficulties faced by asylum seekers and refugees who live on a weekly state welfare allowance of €21.60.

Staff and students from DCU are also helping residents from Mosney Direct Provision Centre to learn English through weekly storytelling and discussion groups. The MELLIE Project (Migrant English Language, Literacy and Intercultural Education) runs for eleven weeks with groups sessions taking place weekly at DCU.

Sport will demonstrate its power to build bridges and forge new ties during “Refugee Week”, with a five-a-side “University of Sanctuary DCU Soccer Tournament” between DCU Soccer Club and Syrian refugees from Mosney Direct Provision Centre kicking off on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking at the launch of “Refugee Week” President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith, said:“The launch of “Refugee Week” is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to promoting social inclusion and equity of access for people from an asylum and refugee backgrounds as part of our “University of Sanctuary” suite of initiatives.”

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