Featured Speakers

• Professor Dr. Sotirios S. Livas (Ionian University, Greece) shared reflections from his extensive scholarship on international law, Middle Eastern geopolitics, and migration studies. He highlighted the unique pressures on Greece as a frontline state in Europe’s migration crisis, showing how geography, EU frameworks, and national politics converge to shape refugee journeys and integration.
• Associate Professor Emmanuel (Manos) Karagiannis (King’s College London) provided a broader geopolitical lens, drawing on his research into political Islam, radicalisation, and security in the MENA and Black Sea regions. His contribution illuminated how displacement interacts with global security concerns and state responses.
• Jana Favero (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Australia), a prominent advocate for refugee rights, grounded the discussion in the lived realities of refugees in Australia. She stressed the role of civil society and the power of advocacy, storytelling, and community mobilisation in challenging harmful narratives and driving policy change.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Eleanor Gordon, Director of Monash GPS, whose expertise in inclusive peacebuilding and post-conflict security helped draw out diverse perspectives and foster a rich exchange between scholarship, advocacy, and lived experience.

Key Themes and Insights

The panel examined refugee integration across contrasting contexts—Greece and Australia—highlighting shared challenges and unique approaches.

• Lived experiences of refugees: Speakers emphasised that behind policies and statistics lie personal stories of loss, resilience, and hope. Centring refugee voices was identified as crucial for shaping policies that foster genuine belonging.
• Civil society’s role: The discussion spotlighted the critical contribution of NGOs and grassroots movements. Both in Greece, where community groups often step in to fill service gaps, and in Australia, where organisations like the ASRC lead advocacy efforts, civil society was recognised as a driver of change.
• National identity and political narratives: Governments in both contexts frame migration within competing narratives—Greece as Europe’s entry point and Australia with its securitised border policies. The politicisation of refugee presence was shown to have profound impacts on social cohesion and perceptions of belonging.

Together, these themes underscored the urgent need for inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable approaches to displacement—approaches that move beyond reactive crisis management toward long-term strategies that affirm dignity and belonging.

Event Highlights

The evening began with a networking session at Monash University’s Caulfield Campus, offering opportunities for academics, policymakers, students, and community advocates to connect.

The panel concluded with a lively audience Q&A, where participants raised questions about:

• the role of regional cooperation in migration policy,
• the transformative power of education for integration, and
• how cross-country lessons might inform new approaches to refugee support.

A symbolic exchange of gifts and group photographs closed the event, reflecting a spirit of solidarity and collaboration across borders.

AFD’s Perspective

For Advocates for Dignity, this panel reaffirmed our commitment to bringing refugee voices to the centre of public discourse and advocating for humane, just, and inclusive policies. Events like this not only deepen public understanding but also strengthen the bridges between research, community experience, and policy innovation.

As displacement continues to reshape the global landscape, AFD will continue to:

• amplify diverse voices, particularly those of refugees and asylum seekers,
• support evidence-based advocacy for rights-respecting policies, and
• foster partnerships across academia, civil society, and international networks.

Looking Ahead

The panel demonstrated the value of comparative perspectives in understanding displacement and belonging. By convening leading thinkers and advocates from Greece, the UK, and Australia, the event created a platform for shared learning that can inform both national and international approaches.

At AFD, we remain dedicated to supporting pathways toward justice, dignity, and belonging for displaced communities everywhere. This event was not only a moment of dialogue but also a reminder that, together, we can shape more inclusive futures.