Shared Knowledge, Shared Healing
In a world increasingly defined by borders and displacement, the 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference served as a vital sanctuary for connection and collective courage.
Hosted by STARTTS on behalf of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT), this conference was an exploration of what it means to heal. We stepped into the "difficult but necessary" spaces, navigating the complexities of torture rehabilitation, the search for identity, and the fundamental human right to belong.
As conflict and crisis force more than 117.3 million people from their homes, including nearly 42.5 million refugees, we refused to let these staggering numbers mask the human faces behind them. Our work centres on the people at the heart of these statistics, prioritising the safety and recovery of the individuals and communities who need it most.
Through collaborative learning and fierce advocacy, we centred our work on a singular, unwavering truth: human dignity must be the heartbeat of policy and practice.
Whether you are looking to deepen your trauma-informed practice or find inspiration in the resilience of the human spirit, these sessions offer a roadmap for a more compassionate future.
Explore the curated recordings below, featuring:
- • Visionary plenaries: High-level insights into the future of humanitarian practice.
- • Keynote presentations: Deep dives into refugee health, international law, and LGBTQIA+ rights.
- • Dynamic panel discussions: Critical debates on child protection, domestic violence, and the nuances of resettlement.
RECORDINGS
Opening Plenary
Acknowledgement of Country
Stuart McMinn
Stuart McMinn, a cultural educator and facilitator from the Dharug and Gubbi Gubbi Nations, opened the conference with a Welcome to Country and cultural reflection that grounded the conference in place, respect, and connection to Country.
Official Opening
The Hon. Ryan Park MP
The Hon. Ryan Park MP, NSW Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, formally opened the conference and reflected on the importance of refugee trauma recovery services and the work being undertaken across the sector.
Keynote Address
Lisa Henry – CEO, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)
Lisa Henry explored the global context of torture rehabilitation and the growing need for coordinated international responses to displacement, conflict, and trauma recovery. Drawing on decades of humanitarian and leadership experience, she spoke about the role rehabilitation services play in restoring dignity, rebuilding lives, and advocating for survivors worldwide.
Special Address
Dr Alice Edwards – United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture
In this special recorded address, Dr Alice Edwards provided an international human rights perspective on torture prevention, accountability, and survivor protection. The address examined the importance of legal frameworks, international cooperation, and the ongoing responsibility of governments and institutions to uphold the rights of people affected by torture and persecution.
Plenary Panel: From the Trenches to the Frontiers
Advancing Clinical Practice in Adversity — Chaired by Jorge Aroche
Panellists explored:
- • Clinical practice in active conflict zones
- • Trauma recovery in contexts of ongoing adversity
- • Refugee mental health and neurobiology
- • The future of trauma-informed therapeutic approaches
With contributions from: Professor Zachary Steel, Professor John Arden, Bessel van der Kolk and Ruth Lanius.
Opening Plenary
Presentation Overview
This session explores critical frameworks discussed during the FASSTT Conference. Our presenters analyse key systemic barriers and outline evidence-based practices designed to support community recovery and integration across different organisations.
Day One Afternoon Plenary
The Future of Resettlement in Australia and Beyond
Chaired by Paris Aristotle
This plenary examined the future of refugee resettlement policy and practice in Australia and internationally. The discussion provided a high-level analysis of how protection frameworks must evolve to meet the challenges of a changing global landscape.
The discussion explored:
- • Humanitarian protection frameworks
- • The evolving role of governments and civil society
- • Global displacement trends and settlement systems
- • Long-term integration and community belonging
Panellists included: • Soo Jin Rhee, UNHCR Representative in Australia • Assistant Minister Julian Hill MP • Paul Power, Co-CEO Refugee Council of Australia • Paris Aristotle
Day One Afternoon Plenary
Session Overview
Chaired by Paris Aristotle, this high-level plenary analyses the evolution of international protection frameworks, global displacement trends, and the future of refugee resettlement policy and practice within Australia and globally.
Day Two Morning Plenary
Keynote Address: Weathering Change
Victor Madrigal-Borloz
Victor Madrigal-Borloz, international human rights expert and former UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, delivered a keynote examining displacement, climate instability, identity, and human rights.
Drawing on decades of international legal and humanitarian work, Victor explored the ways vulnerable communities experience layered forms of exclusion and how systems can respond with greater dignity, protection and inclusion.
Panel Discussion: Identity, Displacement and Lived Experience
Chaired by Dr Liza Beinart
The session focused on:
- • Lived experience leadership
- • Identity formation after displacement
- • Inclusion and safety for LGBTQIA+ refugee communities
- • The role of systems and services in supporting belonging and recovery
Featuring: Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Dr Renee Dixson and Dr Liza Beinart.
Day Two Morning Plenary
Session Overview
This plenary session examines international human rights mechanisms and key trauma-informed care practices. Panellists discuss systemic interventions, advocacy strategies, and collaborative approaches to support long-term rehabilitation and equity for survivors.
Day Two Afternoon Plenary
Keynote Address: Technology, AI and Harm in Vulnerable Communities
Colm Gannon
Colm Gannon, CEO of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Australia, delivered a confronting and highly practical keynote examining how emerging technologies and artificial intelligence are increasingly being weaponised against vulnerable communities.
The session explored:
- • Online exploitation and cyber harm
- • AI-enabled abuse and misinformation
- • Digital safety for refugee and trauma-affected communities
The keynote challenged delegates to think critically about digital vulnerability, safeguarding, and the responsibilities of organisations working with people at risk.
Panel Discussion: Intersecting Traumas
Domestic and Family Violence After Displacement — Chaired by Sharron Ward
This closing panel explored the complex intersections between displacement, trauma, gender, culture, systems, and domestic and family violence. The discussion centred on lived experience, cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and systemic reform.
Panellists examined:
- • Responding to survivors while avoiding harmful stereotypes
- • Systemic reform and trauma-informed recovery
Panellists included: Nimo Ahmed, Maria Dimopoulos AM, Juliana Nkrumah AM and Vahid Momtaz.
Day Two Afternoon Plenary
Session Overview
This video records the full afternoon plenary session from the second day of the FASSTT Conference. The presentation and subsequent panel discussion cover key insights, research, and collaborative practices shared by industry experts during this block.
Closing Reflections
Across the conference, delegates engaged with some of the most pressing humanitarian and social challenges facing the world today. The conversations were often difficult, but they were also hopeful, collaborative and deeply grounded in practice.
This conference reinforced the importance of creating spaces where lived experience, research, clinical expertise, community leadership and policy can come together.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the conference and to those continuing this work every day in communities across Australia, New Zealand and around the world.
Additional Conference Resources
Conference Abstract Book
The official conference abstract book brings together the workshops, oral presentations, posters and practice-based contributions presented across the conference. With more than 377 abstracts and contributions from practitioners, researchers, clinicians and community leaders across Australia, New Zealand and internationally, the publication captures the extraordinary depth and diversity of work happening across the refugee trauma recovery sector.
Topics span trauma recovery, refugee health, settlement, body-focused therapies, intergenerational trauma, domestic and family violence, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, policy and advocacy, neuroscience, creative interventions, youth work, education, clinical practice, and community-led healing approaches.
Youth Art Showcase
Throughout the conference, delegates experienced the FASSTT Youth Art Showcase, featuring artwork created by young people connected to FASSTT agencies across Australia and New Zealand.
The exhibition celebrated creativity, resilience, identity and storytelling through painting, illustration and mixed media works developed by children and young people from refugee backgrounds.
Many of the artworks featured throughout the conference venue, including on the large foyer screens, within the conference abstract book, and across conference materials. The showcase highlighted the importance of creative expression as both a therapeutic and community-building practice.
Conference Posters
The conference poster exhibition featured practice innovations, research findings, community projects and emerging ideas from across the refugee trauma recovery field. Delegates were invited to engage directly with poster authors during the extended poster session on Day 2, creating opportunities for collaboration, discussion and cross-sector learning.
Topics included:
- trauma-informed clinical interventions
- refugee health and primary care
- youth and school-based programs
- body-focused therapies
- policy and advocacy
- creative and arts-based approaches
- community development and lived experience leadership
Conference Partners & Sponsors
We would like to acknowledge and thank the organisations and partners who helped make the conference possible.
Thanks to all our sponsors for their invaluable support.
