The Just Peace Program

For a very long time, the University of Siena has been investing in promoting the inclusion of students and researchers asking for international protection, or for those coming from areas at risk. With On January 7^th, 2019, the Academic Senate approved the formal adhesion of our Athenaeum to the Rete delle Università per la Pace (RUniPace, Italian Network of Universities for Peace), promoted by the Conferenza dei rettori delle università italiane (CRUI, Conference of the Rectors of Italian universities) .

On June 23^rd, 2020, our Athenaeum also adhered to the Manifesto of Inclusive University, promoted by UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in order to allow refugee students to participate in institutional education, so as to promote their social integration and full enjoyment of academic life.

The Manifesto is divided into general principles and planned commitments. In particular, the Universities adhering to the document undertake to develop and amplify the activities and programs in favour of refugee students, such as tutoring, recognition of qualifications received in a foreign country, scholarships, incentives and, finally, establishing University corridors for refugee students living abroad.

The adherence to the Manifesto places our Athenaeum among other 32 Italian Universities who have joined the Project University Corridors for Refugees (UNI-CO-RE). This project offers refugee students the opportunity to safely reach Italy in order to continue their studies —one of UNHCR’s main goals — to reinforce the input channels to reach a 15% rate of enrolment in higher education programs in the countries of first asylum and third-party countries by 2030.

The Just Peace Program, within the Gender Equality, Human Rights and Politiche integrate Office, is a service of the University of Siena which develops and implements the following projects:

• UnisiCares
• Runipace
• University Corridors for Refugees (UNI-CO-RE)
• Progetto PrEcIoUS
• SCHOLARS AT RISK
• Cor Magis Siena OdV Association

The Just Peace Program, inspired by the principles of the Inclusive University Manifesto and the Universities for Peace, work in support of students and researchers seeking international protection or otherwise coming from high-risk and crisis areas with these activities:

•  manage the initial reception activities;
• verification of needs;
• verification of the requirements for access to training;
• verify the conformity of the University degree acquired in the country of origin;
• assistance to enroll and in itinere;
• scholarships, based on a preliminary selection procedure;
• guarantees the free catering service;
• support in the process of obtaining a residence permit and an application for international protection;
• exemption from payment of tuition fees.