From rhetoric to reality: Centering the meaningful participation of refugees

Too often, refugee participation is symbolic. This panel flips that script—showcasing real-world leadership by refugees and how inclusive policies make systems stronger. Recorded at the 2025 Kaldor Centre Conference, Building bridges: Advancing refugee protection in a divided world. Speakers Chair: Frances Voon, Executive Manager, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law Dor Akech Achiek, Interim CEO, Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre Dr Renee Dixson, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Forcibly Displaced People Network Dr Tristan Harley, Senior Research Associate, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law Najeeba Wazefadost, Executive Director, Asia Pacific Network of Refugees Why Watch *Learn how refugees are moving from surface-level consultation to genuine collaboration *See how LGBTIQA+ voices and refugee-led networks strengthen inclusion *Explore practical models for shared decision-making in policy development *Witness innovative frameworks built by refugees, for refugees