On Thursday 15 to Friday 16 May, I had the privilege of attending the Seeds of Justice camp, along with five other students. The conference was held at Holy Cross in Templestowe, a beautiful venue that helped provide a great two days filled with learning, reflection and connection. One of the most rewarding aspects of the camp was the opportunity to meet and build new friendships with other students from all over Victoria, all united by a shared interest in social justice and refugee issues.
During the camp, we had the incredible chance to listen to Michelle Foster, a renowned lawyer at Melbourne University, who gave a thought-provoking presentation on the legal challenges faced by refugees. She shared her expertise on the struggles refugees encounter when seeking asylum and the complexities of international law that govern refugee rights. Her insights were not only eye-opening but also inspiring, and I left the session with a deeper understanding of the legal systems that can either support or fail refugees in their search for safety.
Another powerful moment of the conference was the panel discussion, which featured five individuals who either had personal experiences as refugees or whose families had fled their home countries. Each speaker shared their unique journey, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the hardships they had faced. Some spoke about the pain of being forced to leave their homes, while others shared their struggles to adapt to life in a new country. Listening to their stories was incredibly moving and gave me a greater sense of empathy and appreciation for the refugee experience.
The entire experience at the Seeds of Justice camp was transformative. Not only did I gain valuable knowledge about refugee rights, but I also developed a stronger sense of social responsibility and a desire to advocate for those who are often marginalised in society. The connections I made with students from other schools and the powerful stories I heard will stay with me for a long time, and I feel more committed than ever to helping create a world where justice and compassion prevail.
Olivia B (10 L5)
I was lucky to be one of six students chosen to attend the Seeds of Justice camp for Mercy schools. The focus of the conference was refugees, and I had the chance to learn about this topic in a much more direct and meaningful way. It was also a great opportunity to meet other students from Mercy schools across Australia and connect with people who share the same passion for justice.
We started with a warm and engaging introduction to the topic and also the other students, with some icebreakers, in which I got to see how different so many people's lives are. Then we moved into learning more about refugees and how many times refugees were not allowed to come into Australia and having to find another landing place. One highlight was hearing from Michelle Foster, a well-known lawyer from Melbourne University. She gave an in-depth presentation about what refugees go through to find safety and a place to live. It was also a great chance to ask questions and hear from someone with real expertise on the topic. I gained a much better understanding of how the system works and learned more about refugee detention. I left this presentation with an expanded understanding of the refugee experience.
During our break, we had a more hands-on cultural experience with African dancing. It was a fun and energetic way to learn about different cultures and to understand more about the diversity within communities. Afterwards, a panel of refugees spoke of their experiences from refugee camps. This is the part that really stood out to me. They shared their personal experiences of seeking refuge in another country. Hearing their stories was incredibly powerful. It opened my eyes to what people go through and made the issue feel much closer to home. It was emotional, moving, and truly unforgettable. It helped me understand the many positives and negatives to them adjusting to a new environment.
Seeds of Justice was an experience I’ll never forget. I learned so much, both from professionals and from people who’ve lived through the refugee experience. I also found others who are like-minded and made many more new connections from around Australia. The sense of shared purpose made me feel more inspired and motivated than ever to keep learning and working for justice.