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Our project examines community or private sponsorship of refugees in Australia with comparisons to Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Ireland.
Research Objectives
Uncover Australia’s neglected history of community participation in refugee resettlement, post-World War II
Analyse community sponsorship practice in Australia with reference to similar initiatives in Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Ireland
Explore how ideas of citizenship, community and refugee protection are being mobilised in community sponsorship programs domestically and transnationally
Provide evidence-based suggestions for the ongoing development of community sponsorship in Australia and globally
Methods
Archival research
To produce an historical analysis of the development of migration, refugee and multicultural policy in Australia since 1945, the project draws on materials produced by government departments and agencies, non-government organisations and community groups which are located in a variety of public and private collections
Interviews
Our analysis is informed by qualitative, semi-structured interviews with a broad range of international and national community sponsorship actors. We have interviewed politicians, public servants, sponsors and representatives from international organisations, international community sponsorship networks, global and national civil society and faith groups in Australia, New Zealand and internationally
Workshops and seminars
Participation at a range of workshops and events.
Workshop
The Purpose, Past, Present and Future of Community Sponsorship of Refugees: Critical and Comparative Perspectives
9 May 2025
Melbourne Law School
Colloquium
The Context and Background to “Community Sponsorship” in Australia: Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants Colloquium
8 May 2025
Melbourne Law School
Contact us
- Email the team
- cs-refugee@unimelb.edu.au
- Email Nathan Gardner Molina
- nathan.gardner@unimelb.edu.au
A research project funded by the Australian Research Council DP220101675