After the success of the conferences in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, the Refugee Council of Australia is thrilled to return to NSW, in partnership with the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University to bring you the fifth annual Refugee Alternatives on 6 and 7 July 2021. This year we are also doing things a little differently! We are working towards a hybrid event which will include the opportunity for participants to engage online and on site.
The conference theme ‘Rebuilding: resilience and innovation” recognises and celebrates the incredible and challenging work that took place over the past 12 months whilst navigating the unprecedented impact of the current global pandemic. Rebuilding through resilience and innovation means building back stronger, igniting new ways of thinking and transitioning towards an even more effective and inclusive way of working together.
WORKING TOGETHER
Over the course of the two days, participants from refugee backgrounds, academia, service provision, advocacy, policymaking, government and engaged individuals come together to collaborate and discuss policy and practice.
#ALTREFUGEE
This year we are planning a hybrid conference, this means the chance to come together in person and virtually! For this year’s program some sessions will be available to be live streamed, combined with a number of face to face sessions, side events and workshops.
As well as the face to face sessions, this year’s online program will include live streaming of sessions, virtual networking opportunities, and live chat streams with participants from across Australia.
For all conference queries please contact us at conference@refugeecouncil.org.au
This conference will take place on Tuesday 6 July & Wednesday 7 July 2021
Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University
Parramatta South Campus
Victoria Road, Rydalmere
Parramatta NSW 2150.
This hybrid event will include face to face and virtual sessions. A full schedule of session times and side events will be announced over the coming months. Stay tuned for updates!
By car: Take the James Ruse Drive exit off the M4. Entry is via Victoria Road. For parking take the James Ruse Drive exit off the M4. Entry is via Victoria Road. Entrance to Parramatta South campus is via Victoria Road. Parking fees apply.
By bus: Buses stop outside the campus on Victoria Road. Bus routes: M52, 520, 521, 523, 524 and 525.
By train: Rydalmere station is a 10-minute walk from the campus.
By shuttlebus: Check the WSU Shuttle Bus Schedule for more information.
Tickets will be on sale soon!
Stay up to date with conference 2021 announcements via this website, RCOA’s newsletter and social media channels.
If you have any questions, comments or ideas that you would like to share with us to make this possible, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at conference@refugeecouncil.org.au.
Each year the Refugee Alternatives Conference is driven by the collective energy of each and every person involved; from the months of planning with the advisory group and speakers, to
We are thrilled to launch our conference report for Refugee Alternatives 2020. You can download the report via the link below. A full list of previous conferences can be found here.
Did you attend the Special Session on conference day two entitled, 'Queer Displacements: working towards safety and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people seeking asylum and refugees'? Facilitated by Azlan AP, Tina
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is the national umbrella body for refugees and the organisations and individuals who support them. With more than 200 organisational members and hundreds more individual members and supporters, RCOA’s work centres around the key areas of research and policy analysis, advocacy and representation (of member, refugee and asylum seeker issues) and community education and awareness raising.
The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a nationally significant institution delivering distinctive, bold and inspiring policy research and programs that promote common ground, inclusive national identity and civic engagement for all Australians, and is recognised across the political spectrum as delivering a nation-building agenda that will, in Gough’s words, “…help the great and continuing work of building a more equal, open, tolerant and independent Australia”.
For the past four years, the Refugee Alternatives Conference has been an important time for us to come together, to re-energise and engage in solutions focussed discussions. We are working towards being able to gather again in 2021.
Ensuring that we can do so safely is our priority. We are currently developing our COVID Safety Plan in conjunction with our event partners and the NSW Government guidelines. We will be keeping you updated on this event planning via this website and other Refugee Council media channels.
The Refugee Alternatives Conference acknowledges that the 2021 conference will be held on the country of the Darug People of the Darug Nation. We acknowledge their ancestors who have been Traditional Owners of their country for thousands of years. We also acknowledge and pay our respect to the Darug People's Elders past and present.