The United Nations has ordered 10,000 innovative new flat-pack shelters designed by IKEA for use in refugee and disaster relief. Designed for optimal shipping volume and weight, price, safety, durability, health, and comfort, the structures represent “a groundbreaking example of…

WHEN Amira Younan and her family arrived in Melbourne in 1992, the refugees who fled war-torn Iraq had almost nothing. On day one in their Coburg home they had no furniture, no beds or kitchen equipment, and were in a…

Victorian multicultural youth now have a much needed platform to voice their opinions and share their unique stories. Shout Out is a new youth speakers’ agency that provides opportunities for young people to be publically heard on issues involving justice, identity…

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visits Iran next week to press the government to accept back Iranian asylum seekers found not be refugees. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/04/11/iran-return-failed-asylum-seekers

Canada is accepting increasing numbers of refugees despite its government imposing tougher conditions on asylum claims. Two years after the Ottawa government tightened up its asylum process, acceptance rates have continued to grow for refugees. According to new statistics almost…

The life that has led 33 year old Maalek Bobakraad to Noble Park in Melbourne’s south east has not been an easy one. Bobakraad was born in Isfahan, in central Iran, the son of an army pilot and commando. A…

Wars in Syria and Iraq have driven the number of people requesting asylum in industrialised countries to a 22-year high last year, the United Nations has revealed, while appealing for Western nations to open their doors to more refugees. An…

Australia has made progress in the area of human rights over the past year but faces challenges in its approach to refugees and asylum seekers, according to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs. In a…

Increasing attacks against asylum seekers in Germany in recent months have raised fears that a new wave of racism and xenophobia is about to sweep the nation. Berlin-based human rights organisation ProAsyl has reported 47 attacks against asylum seekers were…

Yet again, there is cause for Australians to be profoundly disturbed about the federal government’s management of asylum seekers in offshore detention facilities. Twenty-four medical staff and Save the Children employees say the Abbott government has known since November 2013…

A new survey has found immigrants to Australia share similar values to people born here, but feel less able to defend their beliefs and freedoms. Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/04/07/study-reveals-migrants-views-australian-democracy

To many newly arrived refugees, Maggie Lynch is like a mother. Mrs Lynch, 65, has long been volunteering in various refugee and asylum seeker-related programs, and over that time has developed what she refers to as “a very big family”.…