UN High Commissioner returns 34 years after graduating

Essex gave a warm welcome to the UNHCR’s representative to the UK – some 34 years after she graduated from our Law School.

Vicky Tennant found time out of her busy schedule to come onto our Colchester Campus to meet with current law and human rights students and talk to them about her inspirational career.

Vicky, who studied English and French Law at Essex in the late 1980s, has been working for UNHCR for 25 years, and heads up the team in the UK who engage with the British Government to ensure the protection of refugees and raise awareness.

During her visit last week Vicky also got the chance to meet with a refugee student and hear about their experiences.

She said: “There’s an incredible energy at Essex. It feels very much like it did when I was here.

“Of course there’s lots of changes it’s bigger, a lot more buildings, more students but in essence it still feels the same, a great energy and brings back lovely memories of my time here.”

She added: It’s so exciting to see how the university has really stepped up in terms of engaging with refugees. It’s a University of Sanctuary and lots of really interesting programmes working with refugees and asylum seekers in the community.

“We all know, the number of refugees globally and scale of crisis are growing, so it’s really important. It’s not just governments its’ not just humanitarian agencies but all parts of society coming together to welcome and support refugees.

"Universities, academic institutions and students have a really important role to play and I’m really thrilled that the University of Essex – my old university – is playing its part in all of that.

"It really means a lot.”

Vicky also spent time with our leading human rights experts during her visit, including Professor Geoff Gilbert, who was named the first Sérgio Vieira de Mello Professor of International Human Rights & Humanitarian Law in the global north last year.

“Welcoming Vicky back to campus was an honour and delight,” Professor Gilbert said.

“She is an inspiration to everyone working in the field of human rights and refugee protection, and her visit acts as a fantastic reminder to our current and prospective students about the impact our graduates are having around the world.”