Refugee Week 2025
Refugee Week 2025 begins on Monday 16th June, with Refugee Festival Scotland starting slightly earlier on Friday 13th June. This year marks two major milestones: 25 years of Refugee Festival Scotland and the 40th anniversary of the Scottish Refugee Council.
In November 2022, the University of Glasgow was proud to be awarded University of Sanctuary status. As part of our three-year action plan, we made a firm institutional commitment to celebrate Refugee Week each year through a diverse programme of events open to staff, students, alumni, partners, and the wider community.
Refugee Week is a time to honour the contributions, creativity, and resilience of people seeking sanctuary. This year, inspired by the official themes - Community as a Superpower and Milestones, we’re curating a week-long series of events that highlight the power of connection and collaboration. Together, we will celebrate the extraordinary impact of refugees and people seeking asylum across our #TeamUofG community and beyond.
Events Programme 2025
Monday, 16 June at 1pm: Film Screening
Join us in the Andrew Stuart Cinema, for a screening of documentary film "First Picture", followed by a Q&A with the film maker & UofG PhD student, Akram Alashqar.
Location: Andrew Stuart Cinema, Gilmorehill Halls
Find out more information and book your place here
Tuesday, 17 June at 12.30pm: Sanctuary Lunchtime Connections
Join us for an informal lunch drop-in to mark Refugee Week - a welcoming space for students, staff, and like-minded individuals to connect, over food, chat and some informal games. Whether you're stopping by for a bite or staying to network, this relaxed event is a chance to show solidarity, celebrate diversity, and have some fun.
Location: Drawing Room, Glasgow University Union
Register your place
Wednesday, 18 June at 12pm: Discover Pickleball - A Community Powered Taster Session
In collaboration with Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) and UofG Sport, join us for a fun and friendly pickleball taster session celebrating the 2025 Refugee Week theme of Community as a Superpower. The session is open to students and staff with lived experience of displacement, along with advocates, allies, and friends.
Location: Stevenson Building, Oakfield Avenue
Find out more information and book your place here
Thursday, 19 June, 9am - 3pm: Support Refuweegee's 'Letters fae the locals'
Visit us at the Welcome Point during our Undergraduate Open Day, where we’re once again proud to support Refuweegee’s Letters fae the Locals campaign. Stop by and write a heartfelt message on our UofG postcards and pop it in one of our collection boxes. Your note will be included in welcome packs for newcomers to Glasgow, offering a warm and encouraging greeting to those who’ve had to leave their homes behind.
Location: North Front, Gilbert Scott Building
Friday, 20 June at 10am: 'A Walk Down Milestone Lane' Arts Workshop
As part of the University's Refugee Week and Scottish Refugee Festival events, you are warmly invited to Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network’s (GRAMNet) ‘A Walk Down Milestone Lane’ on World Refugee Day.
Location: Gilbert Scott Building - Room 253
Find out more information and book your place here