On International Women’s Day we celebrate gender equality and the contribution and achievements of women in our society.

This week our Year 11 Student Leaders attended the Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast at Monte St Angelo College, North Sydney. The Keynote Presenter was Ms Madeline Gleeson, a lawyer and Senior Research Associate at the Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law.

Madeline has had extensive experience working with refugees with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia, and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) in Geneva. Madeline spoke passionately about the meaning of ‘justice’ and ‘social justice’ in the context of the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers both in Australia and as a global issue.

She suggested that justice for refugees requires a ‘new approach’ to the challenges of displacement and that justice for refugees requires five key principals including compassion, strength, resilience, creativity and critical thinking in resolving this issue.

When asked by a student, “What can we do to help refugees?” she answered, show compassion and keep caring about this issue.

The projects and the fundraising that you do in your schools matters. She urged us to look for opportunities to support the campaign for refugees, whether it be sending a letter to your local minister or protesting for the rights of refugees.

Ms Gabie Stojanovski
Director of Mission & Religious Education