College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Events celebrate international diversity

Schools and groups throughout the College took part in a national day to celebrate the contribution of migrants to the UK.

The benefits of people from abroad living, working and studying in the UK were celebrated through the UN World Day of Social Justice and the One Day Without Us campaign.

Participants are took photos and shared personal messages of support on social media using the hashtag #1DayWithoutUs.

One day without us

Social and Political Science

Colleagues from SPS showed their support for Edinburgh’s international community of staff, students, family and friends with a series of events.

The Chrystal Macmillan Building hosted a drop-in lunch, featuring food from around the world.

Interactive Twitter and Post-it note walls were available to share thoughts on migration.

A digital map display outlineed the countries and locations around the world that Edinburgh’s staff and students come from and where SPS research, fieldwork and collaborations take place.

Moray House School of Education

Moray House School of Education hosted a drop-in event for staff and students to encourage discussion and the exchange of ideas.

Participants were encouraged to share experiences, engage in social media activity and create materials to support inclusivity throughout the UK and the wider world.

History, Classics and Archaeology

The School of History, Classics and Archaeology will use the day of action to open a blog in order to celebrate diversity in the school. 

The blog will feature images and thoughts from the day and will continue to be updated to showcase the school’s international students and staff and their diverse global collections.

Find out more about HCA supporting 1DayWithoutUs

Around the College

Many schools and departments from around the College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences hosted international lunches.

The School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures organised photos of their staff from around the world and shared content via social media. 

LLC staff and students at One Day Without Us

Edinburgh Global

Edinburgh is one of the world’s leading universities, and one of the most international, drawing academics and students from all over the globe.

The contribution of Edinburgh’s diverse student and staff body from around the world builds upon this spirit of internationalism and makes the University what it is today.

One Day Without Us

One Day Without Us was a national day of action to celebrate the contribution of migrants to the UK.

For 24 hours, migrants from inside and outside the European Union, and everyone who supports them, were invited to celebrate their contribution to society. 

Organised by One Day Without Us, a gathering took place at the Mound on Monday, 20 February.

Migrant organisations promoted their work within the Edinburgh community and events include art, poetry and music.

The event included a candle-lit gathering and speeches from Stand Up to Racism, Edinburgh Central Mosque, Migrant Voice and the Edinburgh Welcoming organisation.

One Day Without Us

World Day of Social Justice

The events mark ten years since the UN General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice.

The initiative supports efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

The University has been built on the global exchange of people, ideas and values and it’s important to recognise the huge contribution of our international community, support it, and celebrate it.

Professor James SmithVice Principal - International

Related links

One Day Without Us

UN World Day of Social Justice

Social and Political Science

Moray House School of Education

History, Classics and Archaeology

Edinburgh Global