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T he I nterview

their claim is received and adjudicated. become private sponsors of refugees. working in the practice of international
Unfortunately, method of arrival has This private sponsorship program has law proved to me that this is not the
been elevated in the Australian system not really been developed here, but it case. It is a discipline offering many
in effect to a criterion for refugee would be a good program to advocate practical career opportunities, with the
protection, which just does not exist for – to complement the government UN of course, but not exclusively.
in international law. And it has led to resettlement program with private
refugees being condemned to indefinite sponsorship arrangements. The international world is fascinating
detention in remote locations, to the in and of itself, working as a lawyer
detriment of their mental and physical Generally, I would encourage those or otherwise. However, another piece
health. This does irreparable harm to who want to help to give the Global of advice I would offer is to go into
people who are already very vulnerable. Compact a careful read. There are a it with your eyes wide open. Many
It has also led to serious distortions in lot of interesting areas marked out for people have a rather rose-coloured
our national laws, inconsistent with engagement, not only on the part of view of international life. It’s seen as
longstanding and reputable legal norms. governments, but also by civil society very glamorous, involving travel to
actors. The education sector is one many countries and meeting lots of
Of course, Australia is still an important such area. I have seen so many refugee fascinating people. That’s all true. But
player when it comes to resettling situations in my time and taken from there are other aspects which are more
refugees from countries of first asylum them, among many other lessons, that confronting, including the loss it can
where their circumstances are very refugee education does not get the entail of a sense of truly belonging
difficult. It is actually one of the three attention it should, given how important somewhere, of having roots. There is
more significant resettlement countries. it is as a driver of movement and as a also a lot of movement through different
But even here it could do more. At the key to the longer-term sustainability of friendship circles where friends are
moment, Australia takes around 18,700 solutions. made, then move on, which can be
people, with only a small percentage of dislocating and upsetting, not least for
them coming through UNHCR. UNHCR Education includes tertiary education. families and children.
assesses it needs, at the very minimum, A number of universities are now
some one million places for the most looking at how they can contribute Be that as it may, a bottom line for me,
urgent cases. This is very conservative here, for example, through making in our increasingly interlinked world, is
when you remember that there are distance or blended learning that international experience – regardless
currently over 25 million refugees, opportunities available, offering of whether you make it your life or
close to double that number of people programs that prepare students for not – teaches career and life skills that
displaced inside their own countries. university entrance, or facilitating are invaluable. I would recommend
These figures make a nonsense of the recognition of earlier learning for degree that students do try to get themselves
notion that people should queue for qualifications. UNHCR has recently some international exposure through
solutions and those who take matters set up a consortium of interested internships or through short-term
into their own hands, like get on boats universities and is looking to grow it. placements.
for example, are queue jumpers. It would be great if Melbourne
University could see its way clear to SR My last question would have to be:
SR Are there meaningful ways that the joining this initiative. ‘How do you think your experience of
average Aussie can actively contribute JCH impacted on you personally and
towards improving the plight of SR Are there any messages or life on your distinguished career in Foreign
refugees? lessons that you would pass on to JCH Affairs and the UNHCR?’
students today?
EF There are many sorts of responses EF Janet Clarke Hall contributed in
possible. Money is one, but money EF I’d certainly advise law students not important and different ways to helping
doesn’t solve all things. Those who want to write off a career in international me transition happily and well into the
to assist should not discount advocacy. law. There is still a sense, I believe, that real world of work, career and life as a
Asylum space the world over is getting this branch of law is more esoteric and productive and contributing adult. For
smaller. Advocacy can widen it by for the academics only. My 26 years this it deserves a resounding thank you!
contributing to better understanding
of the refugee plight and greater Breaking the glass ceiling!
acceptance of its sufferers. Advocacy
can take many forms. Unfortunately, a
lot of the discussion in many countries,
Australia included, has had the effect of
somehow criminalising the seeking of
asylum and creating fear of refugees.

Assistance with integration is an
invaluable support to those who make
it here. There are many very reputable
non-government organisations working
in this area. There are programs which
exist in other countries, for example,
Canada, whereby individuals can

J anet Clarke Hall 7