Main picture: Members of the North West Migrants Forum team. From left, Media Officer Conor Sharkey, Community Integration and Welfare Officer Al Al-Bawab, Board of Directors member Beverly Simpson, Director Lilian Seenoi Barr and Board of Directors member Idris Mohammed.
THE North West Migrants Forum team was in Ulster University’s Magee campus on Wednesday for the annual Student Opportunities Fair.
Established to give a flavour of extracurricular activities available outside of the classroom, the fair brought societies and charities affiliated with the school together to showcase what volunteering or work opportunities they have.
The North West Migrants Forum has a longstanding relationship with Ulster University and has been an immensely useful source of advice and support to the hundreds of international students who take up residence in the north west each year.
Last year the university sponsored the Forum’s Advancing Race Equality Awards. This year’s Black History Summit, set to take place on October 21, will be held in the Magee campus.
On Wednesday dozens of medical students stopped to learn of the work the North West Migrants Forum does and the many volunteering opportunities it has on offer. They also got to learn of the Forum’s programmes and campaigns, including October’s Black History Summit and the Common Travel Area townhall meeting in Dublin on September 21.
Speaking following an extremely busy day of meeting and greeting, Director of the Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, said she was delighted to see so many young people take an interest in the organisation’s work.
“It was such a good day with so much energy and enthusiasm in the room.
“We were hoping that some students would stop and talk with us but we weren’t expecting the response we received. It was overwhelming to see just how many young people wanted to know about the North West Migrants Forum and the work that we do.
“It was heartening to hear them talk about diversity and integration and to see them express a desire to volunteer and to assist in any way those fleeing war, persecution and starvation.
“The future is certainly bright and we look forward to seeing again those who signed up. We would also take this opportunity to wish every student who has chosen Magee as their place of study well for the future.
“Finally thank you to Ulster University for inviting us along and we look forward to strengthening the relationship that has been forged between our organisation and the college.”
To find out more about the North West Migrants Forum or to sign up for any events, including our Black History Summit or Common Travel Area event in Dublin, go to http://www.nwmf.org.uk.
