The opening night of the photo exhibition 'Fleeing to Safety' at the University of Cyprus, following its success on the occasion of World Refugee Day. © UNHCR Cyprus
The photographic exhibition ‘Fleeing to Safety’ is currently hosted at the University of Cyprus until Thursday 3rd November. The exhibition* that features portraits of refugees in Cyprus and from around the world by Sebastian Rich was first launched on World Refugee Day 20th June 2022 and following its success it was re-launched on 24th October at the University of Cyprus. On the same day, the refugee issue with the challenges and prospects that lie ahead were explored in a conference held at the University of Cyprus. The conference was co-organised by the UNHCR Country Office in Cyprus, the University of Cyprus, the Universitas Foundation and the NGO Bridges for Tomorrow.
In his opening speech, the Dr. Tasos Christofidis, Rector of the University of Cyprus said that the refugee issue and global displacement undoubtedly constitute one of the greatest challenges for Europe and the world and affect each one of us. He added that the war in Ukraine has intensified the refugee crisis and reminds us that peace is not something we can take for granted. He spoke about the students at the University of Cyprus who have a refugee or migratory background and the programmes in place by the University to support these students. “We see their thirst and the effort they make in order to claim a better life, to which they have a right. We are truly proud of them,” he said.
In her opening remarks, Katja Saha, UNHCR Representative in Cyprus said that despite the new levels of global displacement that present multiple and complex challenges, for those forced to flee, and for the countries duty-bound to host them, “there are solutions, and indeed opportunities, that are not only for the benefit of the refugees and asylum-seekers trying to rebuild their lives, but also for the host communities.” Saha explained that the range of problems faced by most asylum-seekers in Cyprus arise from the lengthy delays in the asylum process. “While an asylum claim is being examined, the asylum-seeker has very limited access to the labour market, and to social inclusion programmes; this is a loss of talent and economic contribution, and creates dependency and pressure on the welfare system,” she said.
In his address, Sebastian Rich juxtaposed the staggering 100 million globally displaced figure, with the population of Cyprus that is around 1 million. “At this exhibition I urge you to forget about the so-called art of photography or the photographer, but to look into the eyes of the people on these walls and try to imagine the pain and anguish they have been through and are in most cases still going through. No one chooses to be a refugee,” he said.
The panelists tackling the refugee issue, challenges and prospects at the University of Cyprus on 24 October 2022. © University of Cyprus
Global displacement, migration and the refugee issue, the causes, and the ways to face these challenges were among the topics discussed by the speakers at the conference. Specifically, Corina Drousiotou, Senior Legal Officer, Cyprus Refugee Council spoke about the main challenges in Cyprus and how they can be better managed, while sharing observations from the field as the head of an NGO and legal expert. For his part, Yiannis Papadakis, Professor of Anthropology, University of Cyprus and Bridges for Tomorrow, spoke about how in Cyprus we can all trace migration stories in our past and in our ancestry, connecting that past with the present within the context of how we receive and view refugees and migrants, and how we will do so in the future. The national thinking and political positions in Cyprus on immigration was developed by Nicos Peristianis, Sociologist and Founding President of the University of Nicosia and President of the Universitas Foundation. Nikos Trimikliniotis, Professor of Sociology, Social Sciences and Law, University of Nicosia presented on the construction of a hostile environment against refugees and immigrants, including pushbacks. Christos Hadjioannou, Postdoctoral Researcher in Philosophy at the University of Cyprus touched on the issue of security and contradictions within a philosophical context.
*The exhibition will remain open for the public through to Thursday 3rd November from 8.00 to 20.00 including Saturday and Sunday at the Lobby of the A. G. Leventis University House, University of Cyprus New Campus.
More about the photographer Sebastian Rich:
www.sebastianrichphotography.com
Instagram: @hopefocus
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