Last Monday, myself and 11 other students from Years 10 to 11 attended an eye-opening discussion and table talk presented by the Jesuit Refugee Service at St Vincent’s College, along with 4 other Sydney Schools.
The afternoon was filled with eye-opening stories and speeches from refugees and representatives of the JRS.
The experience unveiled new perspectives to all of us, giving us the chance to understand the recurring troubles faced by refugees and empathise with them. The afternoon also provided us with a wonderful opportunity to network with other students from schools across Sydney and discuss how we can collaboratively improve life for refugees in Australia.
Two refugees with lived experience spoke and shared their stories of deprivation, alienation and forced displacement. Our newfound education on the harsh conditions faced by refugees has certainly changed our perception, and reinforced our gratitude for everyday human rights and privileges we take for granted.
Adam Curran, Year 10
