The U, WE and Refugees Project was a collaborative initiative implemented by the Humanitarian Association of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (HARTT) in partnership with The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Living Water Community (LWC). The project was designed to promote understanding, inclusion, and social cohesion by increasing awareness of the experiences and challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers living in Trinidad and Tobago.
The initiative created opportunities for dialogue between students, community members, refugees, and humanitarian organizations, fostering greater empathy and understanding of forced displacement, migration, and human rights issues. Through educational workshops, discussions, awareness campaigns, and community engagement activities, participants were exposed to the realities of refugee life, including barriers to access employment, education, healthcare, and social integration.
A key objective of the project was to challenge misconceptions and negative stereotypes about refugees while encouraging young people to become advocates for inclusion, tolerance, and human dignity. By engaging university students and community volunteers, the project strengthened civic responsibility and encouraged active participation in addressing social issues affecting vulnerable populations.
HARTT played a critical role in mobilizing youth participation, coordinating volunteer involvement, and facilitating educational activities that connected local communities with refugee experiences. The organization's humanitarian and youth-development focus helped ensure that young people were not only recipients of information but active contributors to dialogue and community action.
Overall, the U, WE and Refugees Project advanced the values of solidarity, diversity, and social justice by building bridges between host communities and refugees. The initiative demonstrated the power of youth engagement, education, and partnership in creating more inclusive communities and promoting respect for the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their nationality or migration status.