Student Action for Refugees Society: President

Hi everyone, my name is Valerie! I'm a 2nd year student studying BA Geography, with a focus on human geography. 

I would like to run for the position of president as I believe that UCL STAR society has a lot to contribute with our fundraising events, workshops and volunteering opportunities.

I currently lead one of the teams volunteering at Hopscotch Women's Centre, running arts and craft play activities for Afghan refugee children. I have enjoyed planning and executing activities for the kids and seeing how much they look forward to each session always makes my day. The experience has made me even more committed to supporting refugees in their effort rebuild and settle into their lives in the UK. 

As president of UCL STAR society, I would like to organize events that are impactful and helpful for the refugees we reach out to. For example, expanding our volunteering efforts and partnering with more organizations that provide refugees with various forms of support. I also believe in advocacy efforts as spreading awareness about the challenges that refugees face is a key step in building compassion and tolerance towards refugees in UK society. 

If elected, I promise to keep this society active and most importantly, an organization that does meaningful work that we can all be proud to participate in. 

Hi everyone! I’m Chloe, a first year law student. As an avid member of the Student Action for Refugees Society, I would love this opportunity to build greater understanding and awareness of the struggles faced by refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants. 

• I am the Events Officer for SolidariTee, a student-led charity which aims to raise awareness and funds to support asylum seekers in countries such as Greece.
• I am one out of the five individuals selected to be on the Executive Committee Member of Effective Altruism UCL, a society which aims to find the best possible ways to help as many individuals as possible.
• In 2022, I wrote my EPQ (a 5,000 word dissertation) on how refugees and asylum seekers have been failed by international human rights laws.
• In 2022, I was Head of my school’s Charities Committee , this included organising a successful Charities Week where £11,000+ was raised within the span of five days.

My aims are to increase outreach, awareness and understanding. This includes hosting more events and partnering with other societies for charitable activities (ie. helping different societies raise funds for the earthquake in Turkey).