Scholarship Launched for Christchurch Mosque Terror Attack Survivors
The scholarship has been initiated by Dame Jacinda Ardern, who was the prime minister of the country at the time of the attack.
It aims to ensure educational opportunities are available to people impacted by the Christchurch mosque shootings.
The University of Canterbury’s new Ōtautahi Aroha wa Salam: March 15 Scholarship was announced on Thursday, and was set up to provide financial assistance and educational opportunities to survivors of the mosque attacks, along with their family members and family members of victims.
Alongside the community, Ardern helped establish the new scholarship by facilitating a USD $250,000 funding grant from the California-based Skoll Foundation that will endow the scholarship in perpetuity.
Jeff Skoll was the first president of Ebay and went on to amass an $8 billion fortune as an entrepreneur. His philanthropic foundation has given more than $1.2b towards sustainability projects and social innovations.
The scholarship is rooted in the legacy of the Christchurch Call, a global initiative founded by Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron in response to the attacks. This commitment aims to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online, fostering a safe and secure internet for all.
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“I don’t believe we’ll ever fully understand the impact of March 15 on our Muslim community, and that’s why our response to it should have no end point,” Ardern said.
“Educational support to survivors and the families most affected is a small thing compared to the overwhelming support and love provided to all New Zealanders in the aftermath of one of our darkest days.”
Rosemary Omar, whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed in the terror attack, said the scholarship would help generations to come.
“It is a living memorial that represents the global recognition of the attack and of Jacinda Ardern.”
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The University of Canterbury (UC) has worked closely with the affected community and the Christchurch City Council to bring the scholarship to fruition.
“We are deeply grateful for the funding that has made this scholarship possible,”UC Professor Catherine Moran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, said.
“This initiative not only provides vital support for survivors and their families but also opens doors to new educational pathways. We hope this scholarship helps in healing and fostering resilience within our community.”
The scholarship is open to applicants intending to enrol full or part-time and recipients can choose from a broad range of educational paths, with no requirement for enrolment in a specific degree program.
Source: thepress.co.nz
