Book a Workshop at Your School

JRS Australia offers engaging and eye-opening workshops that give students, staff, and parents the opportunity to understand the refugee climate in Australia and globally – and the tools to take action. 

Students hear from refugee leaders, and are invited to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and reflect on their own values and knowledge, before exploring practical ways they can make a difference for families in their local community. 

Workshops are linked to the Australian school curriculum and are available for both primary and secondary students.

They regularly spark deep discussion about ethics, policy, and the political landscape in contemporary Australia.

Legal Studies Workshops

For Legal Studies classes, JRS Australia also offers two workshops that use refugees and people seeking asylum as a lens for exploring some of the most pressing questions in law, justice, and human rights. 

Year 11 – Law and Society:

This workshop explores the relationship between law and society in relation to Australia’s asylum and refugee policy. Students will examine how policies that restrict the rights of people seeking asylum by boat have shaped the lives of young refugees in Australia. Drawing on the Australian value of compassion and our obligations under two key United Nations treaties, students analyse a real case study and consider whether the government’s treatment of this cohort reflects the society it has been elected to represent. 

Year 12 – International Relations and Human Rights

This workshop walks through the International Relations and Human Rights syllabus, exploring the nature and changing recognition of international relations and human rights, the role and limits of the United Nations, Australia’s obligations under international instruments, the incorporation of those instruments into domestic law, and the role of non-government organisations and the media in promoting and monitoring human rights – all examined through the lived reality of people seeking asylum in Australia.  

Students will leave with a comprehensive written guide for how to apply each syllabus point to the case study of refugees and people seeking asylum, including supporting evidence – a resource they can draw on throughout their HSC year. 

Take an Excursion to JRS

Bring a group of students or teachers to our office in Parramatta for an immersive half-day experience – meet JRS staff, participate in a workshop and hear from a Refugee Leader, and get hands-on by volunteering in the JRS Foodbank.  

Contact kristen.lazarus@jrs.org.au to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

What year groups is the program suitable for? 

Our workshops can be tailored to suit students from Years 3 -12. Contact us to discuss what would work best for your students. 

How long is a workshop?  

Workshops are typically 1 hour but can be adjusted to suit your needs.  

How are refugee leaders engaged?

The Schools Program provides paid employment opportunities for leaders with lived experiences. A fee of $250 is added for every speaker with lived experience, which goes directly to the speaker. 

Can we combine a workshop with a food drive or fundraiser? 

Absolutely, and we would love to support you with this! Many schools find that combining a workshop with a food drive or fundraiser helps children feel more connected to their learning, and provides an opportunity to make a difference far beyond the classroom. 

Thinking of running a food drive?

Contact us at schools@jrs.org.au and we will let you know which items are most needed and provide everything you need to run a successful drive, including posters and resources for your school community.