_Perspectives


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Demand for support from Cara is higher than at any time in its 80-year history, says executive director Stephen Wordsworth


‘ The exchange of ideas benefits us all’ Stephen Wordsworth is executive director of the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), which has been based at LSBU since 2004


Cara was set up in 1933 to rescue Jewish academics fleeing the Nazis. Since then, it has


supported thousands of people from all over the world. Our founders described their task as “the relief of suffering and the defence of learning and science”, and both parts of that are still valid today. ‘There are two main


strands to our work. Much involves helping academics, often in very immediate danger, to escape to a safe place where they can continue their work.


22_South Bank | Spring 2016


Many are committed to returning home to rebuild their societies when they can; but in the meantime they need a haven, and the opportunity to maintain and develop the skills and the networks that they will need when they go back. We also support a smaller number of academics who have been forced to flee. They cannot return home because of the dangers and are seeking to rebuild their careers here in the long term. ‘In total, including family members and dependants, we’re currently supporting nearly 500 people – that’s


compared with a typical total of several dozen a few years back, and more than at any time since the 1930s. The flow is increasing all the time, which obviously puts a lot of pressure on our very limited resources. ‘We’re lucky to have a


very strong network of 113 university partners, including LSBU, who help us find placements for academics. Many also support our work, for example by paying living costs and waiving fees. We used to cover the living costs ourselves, but the sharp rise in numbers has made it much more difficult.


‘For universities that take


on a Cara fellow, there are many benefits. These people bring fresh perspectives on their subject and, where the university has an interest in human rights, they can contribute first-hand insights into the situation in their country. If an academic is able to return home, the partnership often continues. That exchange of ideas benefits us all. ‘Given the situations that people are fleeing, it would be odd to talk of “success”. But while Cara is needed – and there are no real equivalents in Europe – we will be here, as long as we can continue to raise funds and get the support from universities and individuals that we need.’


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