New beginnings: refugee stories of hope in Australia
In the words of Iranian novelist and refugee, Dina Nayeri, “It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks.” This sentiment echoed more than ever during National Refugee Week 2025.
The theme for this year’s Refugee Week, celebrated between 15-21 June, is ‘Finding Freedom’, focused on creating a safe community for refugees and asylum seekers that fosters independence for all.
The aim of Refugee Week is to shed light on refugee experiences and their contribution to the Australian community. It is a great time to reflect on the journeys of those displaced from their homelands.
This year’s theme explored what does it mean to be truly ‘free’, i.e. live without the fear of violence, persecution and breach of human rights. These conversations around the concept of freedom are critical to our working for the welfare of those seeking refuge.
Cultural Perspectives actively participated in Refugee Week, reflecting our deep commitment to refugee and asylum seeker justice - a principle at the core of our professional ethos. We collaborated closely with Settlement Services International (SSI) across a range of community development initiatives, working together to create more inclusive and equitable outcomes for refugee communities.
SSI, previously called as NSW Migrant and Refugee Centre, works towards providing broader services and long-term support to refugees and asylum seekers settling in Australia.
In June 2025, Cultural Perspectives helped create a diversity strategy for SSI and host an all-staff workshop to steer a more inclusive working practice for the organisation.
You can read more about refugee trauma healing practices at
