Refugee Week 2025 was a powerful reminder that compassion, understanding, and action can begin with a single conversation. At JRS Australia, our Schools and Community Engagement program reached thousands of students and community members during Refugee Week through a series of inspiring events across Sydney. From primary school classrooms to parish halls – and even in the heart of Sydney CBD – we were humbled to be invited into spaces where people are eager to learn more, listen deeply, and act in solidarity with those who have been forcibly displaced. 

Sparking Change at Marist Catholic College North Shore 

On the 12th of June, we had the pleasure of visiting Marist Catholic College North Shore, where students from Years 3–6 explored what it means to seek asylum in Australia. The students listened attentively as Batoul, one of our inspiring speakers with lived experience, shared her personal story of travelling from Gaza to Sydney in late 2023 and starting a new life in Australia. Their thoughtful questions, empathy, and genuine curiosity were a testament to the power of early education in creating a more just and welcoming world. 

Inspired by the presentation, Marist students and staff decided to launch a whole-campus food drive, from Kindergarten to Year 12, to support JRS Australia’s Foodbank. This beautiful initiative is just one example of how young people can be powerful agents of change – giving back to their community and inspiring others to do the same! 

Learn more about how you can support our Foodbank here.   

Faith in Action with the Sisters of the Good Samaritan  

On Tuesday the 17th of June, in partnership with our long-standing friends at the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, we joined students and community members at St Scholastica’s College for our annual Refugee Week event. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from two speakers with lived experience, and to learn, reflect, and brainstorm ways of taking action to support people seeking asylum.  

One of our amazing speakers with lived experience who holds a PHD in engineering delivered a powerful reminder to students to be grateful for their education, and stressed the importance of women pursuing education in science, engineering and mathematics:   

“I just want to say a quick word to the students here. I know that there are less girls that go into engineering. I want to encourage you all to study mathematics and physics. I also want to tell you to be grateful for what you have here, there are many people that are not able to access study or go to school. So be grateful for your education!”  

On Saturday the 21st of June, the Sisters also held an online webinar for community members interested in learning more about the realities of life in Gaza, and how to offer support. We were proud to connect the Sisters with Batoul who generously shared her lived experience and insights with the group. 

As always, these events highlight the importance of the incredible Catholic community in championing justice for refugees and people seeking asylum. We hope that more brave collective action will continue to grow from our shared values of compassion and inclusion – and we thank the Sisters for their work uplifting refugees and people seeking asylum here and around the world.   

Storytelling, Solidarity and Service on World Refugee Day 

On Friday 20th June 2025, we were honoured to participate in three special events to mark World Refugee Day. 

Thanks to our dear friends at St Patrick’s Parish in Mortlake, we brought together local parishioners, schools and community members for an education session about the asylum-seeking context globally and in Australia. It was great to have Stephanie Di Pasqua, State Member for Drummoyne, and Michael Megna, the Mayor of the City of Canada Bay, in attendance, joining the conversation about how our communities can better support refugees and people seeking asylum. The audience heard from Zainab and Dindo, two remarkable refugee leaders who courageously shared their personal stories and inspiring advocacy journeys. Stories told from the heart, by the people who have lived them, bring to life the strength, resilience, and humanity behind the headlines.  

At Bethany College, Year 10 students participated in an engaging session where they heard from Abdul and Thanush about their experiences seeking asylum in Australia. Thanush, a seasoned advocate, spoke of his experience of the harsh realities of indefinite offshore detention, while Abdul shared his story, detailing the hardships he has faced seeking asylum with a disability. At JRS Australia we see that everybody’s asylum journey is different, and for many members of our community, the struggle is ongoing. It’s important that students hear from these diverse voices of lived experience so they can make their own minds up about what a fair and just asylum system could look like in Australia. 

We were also thrilled to visit Macquarie Bank in the Sydney CBD as staff members came together to pack over 100 boxes of essential food and personal items, decorated with love and containing personal messages of welcome. Through JRS Australia’s Foodbank, these boxes will make a real difference to families seeking asylum in our local community.  

Freedom, Together: Leadership Event closes our Refugee Week celebrations 

On 4th July 2025, we held our third annual Refugee Week evening event with the Diocese of Parramatta – showcasing the stories, creativity, strength, and advocacy of the individuals in our Refugee Leadership Program. This event was our most successful yet, with over 80 attendees being treated to an incredible Persian dinner, displays from local artists, and poetry, prose, music and film presentations from our leaders with lived experience.  

Read more about this event here.

We are incredibly grateful to all the schools, community groups, and individuals who welcomed us during Refugee Week, and who continue to walk alongside people seeking asylum. At JRS Australia, we believe that education is advocacy, and we are so proud of the young people and communities who are rising to the challenge with empathy, courage, and conviction.  

Thank you for standing with us this Refugee Week, and always.