Overview of my LIA

For my 'Leadership in Action' project, I volunteered at Refugee Legal, an Australian-based non-profit organisation providing free, quality legal assistance on migration matters for refugees. The individuals I was assisting had fled their home countries due to war, risk of political persecution, prolonged family violence (including stalking and attempted murder) or targeted threats for belonging to a Particular Social Group (PSG). I worked with individuals that were separated from their children and partners, and people who had suffered atrocities at the hands of other individuals and even the authorities. I assisted refugees from around the world, including Ukraine, Iran, Palestine, Malaysia, Pakistan and India, to name a few. Towards the end of my placement, I was assigned to the Afghanistan Clinic helping complete visa applications for Afghan clients. Afghan clients were fleeing from incredibly difficult circumstances, including being directly targeted by the Taliban and severe political oppression. Through my LIA, I engaged with the Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and Reduced Inequalities UN SDGs, aiming to promote wider access to legal services and support. 

My role

The Australian Government offers many different types of visas to refugees, most often Split Family Provisions, Humanitarian Visas and Protection Visas. Such government initiatives allow refugees to seek temporary or permanent protection in Australia when they feel that they are insufficiently protected in their home countries. The immigration process is however difficult and prolonged and is exacerbated by significant backlogs that delay grants of visas and permanent residency. This is detrimental for refugees, especially in Australia, where healthcare services such as Medicare require visa status or permanent residency proof before they can be granted. This can also result in families being separated for long periods of time while a decision is made on their applications. Many suffer financially and experience mental health complications from the stress of separation and knowing that your family members are in active danger despite efforts to reunite.

The volunteers at RL aim to relieve this process by addressing the long waiting list of clients seeking assistance; this was the challenge I primarily engaged with during my LIA. Such assistance included completing ‘pre-fills’ (filling in as much information about a client and their circumstances) on visa applications. This was a central component to volunteering to RL as it meant that once a client came in for an appointment/attended an official telephone appointment, all of their vital information was complete, and would mean that their application could be ‘lodged’ (submitted) as fast as possible, and an outcome to their case be processed sooner. I witnessed first hand the high demand for legal services and the large waiting list that ensued, but also the positive change the careful, passionate volunteers generated. I also assisted with statutory declarations (detailed statements made on the client's behalf about their experiences). This involved both drafting these statements using information from the client's files, and reading back finalised drafts of statutory declarations to clients to confirm that the information was correct. 

One thing I appreciated during my time at RL was how dynamic my days were. Some days were particularly vocal and client-facing. I would often spend hours communicating with clients both online and in-person, finalising their visa applications and filling in missing information. Some phone calls were simply to request documents to be sent to the admin team to be added to the client’s file while others required long, in-depth discussions since visa applications are incredibly meticulous, requiring detailed information about the client for the last 10-20 years. I learnt how to approach sensitive questions and discussions, and maintain professionalism while doing so. I continued to show empathy and compassion but simultaneously not promise anything given the uncertainty of visa grants.

Other days required independent research for lawyers to use in legal submissions to support a client's application. The cultural, religious and political context within a client’s home country was often referenced in court hearings, so gathering a lot of information was crucial to building the client’s case. My research tasks spanned many countries and cultural groups. Some research topics included the consequences on visa privileges following marriage between Indian and Pakistani nationals, arrests of protestors in Hong Kong following the anti-extradition bill protests 2019-2020 and the recognised legal status of transgender people in Laos. I also researched the possibility of being granted Protection Visas despite criminal history, which allowed me to explore the nuances of the law, which was insightful but complex. Another research topic I completed was a report on the prevalence of 'honour killings' in India, focusing on cultural threats towards women who tried to divorce their abusive husbands, specifically the pressure directed towards women to remain in their marriages to prevent tarnishing the 'honour' of their families. I learnt that in some areas of India divorced women are vulnerable and can be targets of hostility and even violence for their act of 'dishonour'. My research was used by a lawyer in an official legal submission, allowing the client's case to be strengthened through provision of the political and cultural context of their circumstances. Many of the topics I researched were emotionally difficult to explore, but the research I completed was valuable to the company. It is important to learn about other people’s circumstances and to be well informed on humanitarian issues globally. 

Getting assigned to many different tasks was at first a challenge as it meant I had to continue adjusting and learning. Ultimately, this push out of my comfort zone was rewarding; reflecting at the end of my placement, I realised the breadth of how much I had learnt. Having such varied tasks allowed me to maximise my input into the organisation, which was something at the forefront of my mind throughout my LIA. 

Assessing my SMART goals  

Setting out for my LIA, I had 2 key SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals in mind. My first SMART goal was to develop my ability to work efficiently and effectively in a high-pressure environment. At RL, I was faced with constant deadlines. Online submissions to the Immigration Department had looming deadlines, as did tasks to complete before incoming client meetings and Tribunal hearings. At many instances, I had several tasks assigned at the same time. Despite the time pressure, I managed to complete tasks to a high standard, it was usually just a matter of organising them according to the level of priority and communicating with my lawyers and supervisor in case of delays.

Another SMART goal I had was to become more decisive and take initiative without being prompted by others. In the first few weeks I sought support from my supervisors on how to complete tasks and I awaited their approval before I could move on the next task. By the end of my placement however, my confidence grew. I noticed that I stopped second-guessing myself and began to take more authority with my choices, such as when to follow-up with a client or when to request more information. Building this intuition was not an overnight process, so noticing these changes in myself was encouraging and satisfying. At the beginning of my placement, I would ask the other volunteers for help and advice. By the end of my LIA however, I was able to assist the new volunteers - just as I had been helped - which was a real 'full-circle moment' for me. 

Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements

I am incredibly grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for enabling my LIA. I am fortunate to have been able to exercise my leadership skills in real-life situations after extensive training in a country I never thought I would have the privilege of travelling to. Most of all, I am overjoyed to have contributed to a cause I am so passionate about. The past two years have taught me immeasurably and my LIA was a valuable, sentimental conclusion to my time as a Laidlaw Scholar. My LIA has reaffirmed my passion for volunteering and helping others, which I hope to incorporate into my future career.

I give special thanks to Jane Mumford - the Laidlaw Coordinator at Cambridge - for her continued support and organisation, my supervisor Dr Konstantinos Ioannidis for his advice and insight during my research project and Laidlaw Scholar (2024) Olive Watt for inspiring me to volunteer at Refugee Legal.