Students lead on Refugee Week at Wolfson

Taking place annually, Refugee Week is an international festival that uses the arts to honour the lives, talents and strength of people who have been forced to leave their countries. Supported by members of staff, a group of four Wolfson students developed a series of events designed to engage the College community.

The programme included a pot painting session, inviting attendees to reflect on what it means to resettle, rebuild, and create a sense of home; a reading group exploring displacement, migration, and belonging; and a screening of the acclaimed films, Migrants (2020) and Tskaltubo (2023), followed by a panel discussion.

The team also found creative ways to share information about refugees across the Wolfson site. A book display was available to browse in the library, a trail through the College gardens highlighted the realities of displacement driven by climate change, and a series of poems and illustrations were displayed on the tables in the Club Room.

Reflecting on their experience, two members of the Refugee Week Organising Committee, Giulia Ciraolo and Rhoda Adjoa Nyarko, spoke with Simona Obeng, Wolfson’s Community & Leadership Impact Coordinator, about the inspiration behind the events, the impact they had on the College community, and what they learned along the way.

Why was it important to you that Wolfson marked Refugee Week, and what does Refugee Week mean to you personally?

Giulia: Refugee Week is a great opportunity to create space for conversations on displacement and resettlement. Celebrating it at Wolfson sends a strong signal: that the College is a safe space, where the contributions of refugees are not only respected, but valued. For me, the week is a chance to act on topics that I hold dear. I see Wolfson as my second home, and I like to think of my home as a welcoming space, where the door is always open.

Rhoda: For me, it was important that Wolfson marked Refugee Week because we are a college that prides itself on inclusivity and diversity. We are a community made up of people from many different places, and some of us carry stories, or know people who carry stories, of having to leave home without choosing to. Wolfson marking Refugee Week felt like a way of saying that these stories are seen, acknowledged and respected.

Personally, Refugee Week gave me the chance to help people move beyond seeing displacement as an abstract issue. It created a space for reflection, listening and conversation, and for me that was very meaningful.

What motivated you to get involved in organising the Refugee Week programme and activities?

Giulia: The beliefs central to Refugee Week (understanding, kindness, human connection) are very close to my academic work and professional trajectory. The programme we put together was my way to act, in the here and now, about something that I’ve spent months studying and analysing.

Rhoda: I wanted to contribute something beyond my academic work and be part of something meaningful within the College community. I felt that Refugee Week was an opportunity to be part of a space that holds the hands of those who have been displaced and reminds them that, although we may not fully know the weight of their grief, we are present, we care and we are rooting for them.

Looking back on the planning and delivery of the events, what were the highlights of the experience for you?

Giulia: The panel discussion was the most enjoyable activity for me to organise and attend. It blended filmmaking with an incredibly interesting and well-rounded panel discussion. However, working alongside the Wolfson community was the highlight of my experience. Not only did I learn a lot from College staff, but I also got to share ideas in an environment where my opinion was truly valued.

Rhoda: One of the highlights for me was seeing the activities take shape beyond the planning stage. I contributed to making some of the flyers, so seeing them shared around College and watching people engage with the events felt very rewarding.

What have you learned from this experience, and what will you take away from your involvement in Refugee Week at Wolfson?

Giulia: When it comes to refugees, public opinion can get quite hostile and it becomes really easy to think that the fight for inclusion is one we are fighting alone.

The biggest gift I bring with me from Refugee Week at Wolfson is the proof that people do care. From the College and Cambridge community to the worldwide Refugee Week network, I interacted with people who are committed to speaking up. This gave me the courage I need to keep advocating for an inclusive society, where refugees can thrive.

Rhoda: I learned that meaningful events are not only about the programme itself, but also about the care, thought, and collaboration behind them. I will take away a deeper appreciation of what it means to organise with intention. I will also carry the connections I made with the whole team.

Learn more

You can find out more information about Refugee Week on their website.