New Cara appeal gets head start at THE Awards

Academic and professional staff within the UK university sector are being urged to donate £20 a year to help support scholars at risk of imprisonment and torture.

The Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), which every year receives hundreds of requests for help from persecuted academics around the world, is aiming to convince 10 per cent of the UK’s 400,000 higher education employees to give £20 a year to support its activities, which include helping refugee academics to build new lives and careers, and offering both practical and financial help to those hoping to one day return home.

The fundraising drive is backed by journalist and Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow. “As a journalist travelling around the world, I see academics often regarded as troublemakers, and too often jailed or tortured or killed because of their learning – but it is this very learning that needs to be nurtured so that these scholars can be part of the rebuilding process when the fighting stops,” Mr Snow said.

“All around the world academics face persecution, imprisonment, violence and even death. Cara brings hundreds to safety every year. But many more are still in danger and need help urgently to get away.”

Cara was founded by UK academics and scientists in 1933 to rescue their colleagues from Nazi Germany. In the six years that followed, some 2,000 people were rescued.

It was the chosen charity for the 2017 Times Higher Education Awards, which were held on 30 November. On the night, attendees raised more than £9,700 for the charity. 

To donate, visit the 10 x 20 appeal website.