Human Rights Symposium
On Monday 25 November 2024, the Centre for Law and Social Justice hosted a Human Rights Symposium at the University of Newcastle Sydney Campus.
The symposium was timely, given Australia has reached a moment of significant opportunity in human rights terms. The Australian Human Rights Commission has concluded its landmark Free and Equal inquiry and published a report recommending major reform of Australia’s human rights framework. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has reported on its own inquiry, issuing several complementary recommendations to Government, including for the passage of a national Human Rights Act.
This one-day event welcomed speakers with diverse perspectives on Australia’s legal system to present research and share lived experiences relevant to Australia’s human rights framework. The Symposium was attended by 40+ academics, lawyers, practitioners, advocates, and government representatives and covered a range of topics including human rights systems and vulnerabilities, current issues, anti-discrimination for LGBTQIA+ peoples, and reproductive rights. The Symposium included representation from peak human rights bodies including the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, the Human Rights Law Centre, and Anti-Discrimination NSW. The full program can be accessed here.
The day was highly productive, providing a rare opportunity for the human rights community to come together to discuss Australia’s human rights framework and solutions to complex problems.
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Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.