About
Promoting education, research and academic outreach aimed at the refugee population is one of the objectives of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Since 2003, the UNHCR has been implementing the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM) in cooperation with national university centers.
In this cooperation agreement with interested universities, the UNHCR establishes a Term of Reference with objectives, responsibilities and criteria for joining the initiative within the three lines of action: education, research and outreach. In addition to disseminating university teaching on refugee-related issues, the Chair also aims to promote academic training and the qualification of teachers and students in this area. Working directly with refugees in community projects is also a top priority.
As examples of initiatives, several universities have developed actions to promote access and permanence in education, the revalidation of diplomas, as well as the teaching of the Portuguese language to the refugee population.
Institutionalization of the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair at UFABC
The Federal University of ABC announced the creation of Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM-UFABC) as a new academic and complementary support body linked to the Rectorate on December 11, 2020, through the publication of the UFABC Service Bulletin.
The main mission of CSVM-UFABC is to promote integrated teaching, research, outreach and management actions focused on the protection and local integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The aim is to ensure greater inclusion and academic training of these groups in Higher Education, as well as training teachers and students on the subject of refuge and migration.
Among the chair’s duties is advising the Rector’s Office and other UFABC administrative sectors on cooperation projects related to migration and refuge. To achieve its objectives, CSVM-UFABC is authorized to suggest terms of technical and scientific collaboration, always in compliance with current legislation.
For more information, please visti https://www.facebook.com/CSVMUFABC/?locale=pt_BR.