UNSW Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law

06/11/2026

With fast approaching, what influence will the Pre-COP carry into discussions in Antalya?

Sanjula Weerasinghe, Senior Research and Policy Associate at our Evacuations Research Hub at UNSW Law & Justice, attended Pre-COP and found that while climate mobility wasn't a headline issue, it is deeply interwoven with many goals for the upcoming summit.

In a new piece for Researching Internal Displacement, Sanjula writes that 'resilience and climate action are built through the daily work, leadership and agency of Pacific people, particularly women, and COP31 must deliver decisions and resources for them to continue charting their own futures.'

Ultimately, she notes, learning from Pacific experiences benefits the entire world.

Read more about her valuable takeaways here:

On the eve of COP 31, this thoughtful and reflective short article relays a simple but vital message from the recent Pacific Pre-COP meeting: the need to listen to Pacific voices. Policymakers, experts and advocates seeking to shape effective approaches to climate-related mobility can learn from Pac...

05/11/2026

We couldn't be prouder that tonight, when the UNSW Sports Awards Gala Dinner 2026 celebrates a year of success, our own Dr Regina Jefferies will be among the nominees.

Regina, an Assistant Coach with UNCW FC, is a finalist for the Alex Blackwell Award recognising those who champion women and girls in sport.

From all of us at UNSW Law & Justice, congratulations to Regina and all the 2026 nominees: Chloe Wan, Emily Mills, Nikki Collins, Rasleen Singh and Veiongo (Vei) Koloamatangi-Lamipeti. Thank you all for the positive impact you've made across the sporting community.

Enjoy tonight, Regina, then get ready for the launch next week of your new book, 'Rethinking Compliance How Street-Level Bureaucrats Implement International Refugee Law' (Bloomsbury Publishing UKb). A few tickets are still available for this Wed 11 November event with Melissa Crouch, Angela Smith and Sara Dehm at the UNSW Bookshop. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unsw-law-justice-book-forum-regina-jefferies-tickets-2002491162974?aff=oddtdtcreator

16/10/2026

Now in a larger venue - not too late to join us!

What does a ‘fair go’ really mean in Australia today?

Join Mariam Veiszadeh at the Kaldor Centre Oration as she explores belonging, identity and what it means to build a life in Australia.

14/10/2026

Looking for a conversation that's bigger than politics?

With Australia's politics recently dominated by migration debates, the upcoming Kaldor Centre Oration offers something different: a chance to look beyond the headlines.

Next Tuesday, human rights champion Mariam Veiszadeh will reflect on her own journey from a young refugee in Australia to a leading advocate confronting today’s debates. In her remarks – entitled 'Advance Australia fair?' – and in conversation with acclaimed broadcaster Nicole Abadee, Mariam will deepen your understanding of how we can shape a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Tuesday 20 October 2026
6.30pm – 7.45pm
Science Theatre, UNSW Sydney

Step back from the political noise and hear a thoughtful, human conversation about what fairness, belonging and opportunity really mean in Australia.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mariam-veiszadeh-advance-australia-fair-2026-kaldor-centre-oration-tickets-1997526550685?aff=KaldorEDM&mc_cid=adb4469653&mc_eid=8883ffeb42

A cash bar service will be available from 5.30pm, and the event will begin promptly at 6.30pm.

Thanks to our UNSW Law & Justice partners, the UNSW Centre for Ideas.

08/10/2026

*Register for our upcoming (21 Oct) online seminar today.*

Climate change is reshaping displacement and protection challenges worldwide. How are Australia's decision-makers, lawyers and advocates responding?

We're hosting a one-hour online seminar to discuss the challenges – and to introduce our 'Australian Toolkit on International Protection in the context of Climate Change and Disasters', part of our broader global guidance initiative.

Join Prof. Jane McAdam, Dr Tamara Wood, Sarah Dale, Dr Linda Kirk and the Australian Institute of Administrative Law (NSW) for this special discussion.

If you work in refugee law, migration, administrative law, human rights, climate policy or related fields, we'd love you to join us on Wednesday 21 October, 1pm-2pm AEDT.

Register today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pM_2PxXn20i44Qhnufn7o0ZKdIZe8EFOjbZZVg3q71BUQUNJM0hYMzlRRUtBSkpOME9IVTAyNDVVMy4u&mc_cid=324772a7b9&mc_eid=c56db8b7c2&route=shorturl&mc_cid=0f90828051&mc_eid=c56db8b7c2

Explore the Australian and global Practical Toolkits and further training opportunities: https://www.unsw.edu.au/kaldor-centre/our-resources/legal-and-policy-resources/protection-toolkit-on-climate-and-disaster-displacement

UNSW Law & Justice, RACS - Refugee Advice and Casework Service, RAILS - Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, Refugee Legal, Tasmanian Asylum Seeker Support, New South Wales Bar Association, The Law Society of NSW Circle Green Community Legal, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Human Rights For All Human Rights Law Centre Legal Aid NSW, National Justice Project National Legal Aid Forum Norton Rose Fulbright

01/10/2026

We're very excited to introduce the new 'Australian Toolkit on International Protection in the context of Climate Change and Disasters', developed by Professor Jane McAdam and Dr Tamara Wood.

As climate change and disasters increasingly intersect with displacement and protection needs, decision-makers and legal practitioners need clear, evidence-based guidance.

This new toolkit brings clarity to climate-related protection claims in Australia. It:

● addresses seven common myths;
● explains what the evidence shows;
● provides practical guidance for assessing claims under Australian law;
● includes detailed case studies based on realistic scenarios; and
● offers sample interview questions and guidance on relevant country information.

'The challenge is cutting through the myths and understanding the full picture of risk. That's exactly what this toolkit is designed to do,' says Prof McAdam.

As Dr Wood puts it: ‘The Australian Toolkit takes the broad principles articulated in the global Practical Toolkit and tailors them to Australia’s domestic legal context, providing a ready-to-use resource for decision-makers and practitioners.’

Explore the Australian toolkit and learn more (including details of our training for Australian legal practitioners and decision-makers, hosted by the Australian Institute of Administrative Law (NSW) on 21 October): https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2026/09/new-australian-toolkit-brings-clarity-to-climate-related-protect

We are so grateful to the decision-makers and practitioners who participated in consultations and provided valuable input, especially Sarah Dale, Isobel McGarity, Kerry Murphy, Michaela Rhode and Alison Ryan. Our thanks, too, to the Open Society Foundations for its generous funding.

UNSW Law & Justice RACS - Refugee Advice and Casework Service Platform on Disaster Displacement UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

11/09/2026

New from Prof. Jane McAdam 👇👇

Beyond Tuvalu's headline-grabbing climate visa lies a quieter story: six Australia-Pacific agreements now recognise mobility as a tool for adaptation, security and dignity.

These include the Falepili Union with Tuvalu, and agreements with Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Mobility is treated as supporting economic development, skills diversification, and regional peace and security.

But a migration pathway isn't the same as protection - Australia still has no specific visa for people who must move suddenly after a disaster.

https://devpolicy.org/mobility-provisions-in-recent-australia-pacific-bilateral-agreements-20260911/

03/09/2026

The climate crisis is already displacing millions of people, most of them within their own countries.

Over the past decade, governments, regional organisations and international actors have made significant strides in recognising and responding to internal displacement. But those gains are now under pressure as humanitarian funding contracts dramatically.

In this incisive blog, Elizabeth Ferris of Georgetown University takes stock of what's been achieved, what's at risk, and why supporting solutions for internally displaced people must remain a global priority.

Read more 👉 https://climatemobility.unsw.edu.au/internal-displacement-in-the-context-of-climate-change-and-disasters/index.html

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