Refugee resettlement: hopes fulfilled or dreams shattered ?

23 November 2005

Personal testimonies from refugees marked the opening of an international refugee conference hosted by the University of New South Wales' Centre for Refugee Research.

The five-day conference, Hopes Fulfilled or Dreams Shattered? begins today (Wednesday 23 November) with the Refugee Court of Testimonies. The conference aims to contribute to the federal government's refugee settlement policy and service provision.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has increasingly promoted resettlement as an important response to protracted refugee situations. In response, the Australian government has focused its refugee intake on communities in such situations across Africa.

Recent reports, however, from settlement services and community organisations around Australia, indicate that many services are not coping with the special needs of these groups. Prior to coming to Australia, many refugees have spent extended periods in refugee camps without access to adequate food, water or health services. Women and girls have often experienced gender-based violence, including rape, and many children have grown up with limited access to education.

International speakers at the conference include Erika Feller, UNHCR Director of International Protection and Jeff Crisp, Director of Policy and Research at the Global Commission on International Migration.

The conference will focus on health, education, social and legal issues related to refugee resettlement in Australia. Workshop topics include refugee children and young people, gender issues, older refugees, emerging communities, rural and regional resettlement, temporary protection visas and bridging visa holders.

The final day of the conference is a forum entitled Women at Risk. Australia currently allocates a large number of visas for women who are identified as being at extreme risk of violence. The forum will examine whether their needs are being met.

"The social disruption down the track could be enormous if the needs of these groups are not addressed now, and they can be. These refugees have so much to offer to Australia," says Dr Eileen Pittaway, Director of UNSW's Centre for Refugee Research.

"The conference outcomes will be brought together into a comprehensive report with recommendations from policy makers and service providers both in Australia and overseas."

For more information on Hopes Fulfilled or Dreams Shattered? see the conference website.

Media contact: Alex Clark, Media unit, 02 9385 3263/0405 237 553 alex.clark@unsw.edu.au