Building bridges: Advancing refugee protection in a divided world

This year’s Kaldor Centre Conference arrives at a fateful time for refugee protection. Displacement is rising by the millions. Funding is vanishing by the billions. Political divides are deepening around the world. Now more than ever, we need to pause, reflect and forge new paths forward – together.  

The 2025 Kaldor Centre Conference, 'Building bridges: Advancing refugee protection in a divided world', brings together policymakers, practitioners, scholars, civil society and people with lived experience of displacement – to ask the hard questions, share expertise and build practical solutions.  

This event focuses on building bridges – across sectors, communities and disciplines – to strengthen refugee protection in Australia and globally.  

In one full, energising day, we’ll explore:  

• How global political shifts, such as the US election, affect us all;
• How to cultivate meaningful dialogue and counter misinformation in polarised and populist times;  
• How to bridge rhetoric and reality advancing meaningful refuge participation;  
• What’s needed to sustain protection as funding for UNHCR and other organisations collapse;  
• How refugee protection fits within broader human rights struggles.  

This is more than a conference – it’s a vital meeting point for everyone working to shape refugee policy and practice.  Through keynotes and thematic sessions, and over lunch, breaks and a networking reception, this is an opportunity to make new connections and to revitalise ties with others working for refugee rights in Australia and internationally. 

Come for a day of principled, practical insights – and leave recharged, better connected, and more ready to meet the moment.

Explore the Program.

unsw.to/kaldor25

For additional information or to ask for a sponsorship prospectus please reach out:

E: kaldorcentre@unsw.edu.au 

W: unsw.edu.au/kaldor-centre