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By Kate van Doore, Griffith Law School
Last week, the Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, announced an Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia. This is a great step forward for Australia as we think about our responsibility for how our actions contribute to modern slavery throughout the world.
I am interested in this issue because of my research looking at how orphanage volunteering can cause child trafficking into orphanages. Senator Linda Reynolds and I have co-written a Voluntourism Information Sheet – Support families, not orphanages and will be highlighting it at the Inquiry.
This short blog will give you an idea of how volunteering in an orphanage might be regarded as a form of modern slavery.
What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery is not defined in any international convention, but usually includes the traditional definition of slavery in addition to ‘debt bondage, serfdom, forced marriage and the delivery of a child for

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It should come as no surprise that Elizabeth Kassab Sfeir, pictured, is forging such an impressive career in tertiary education.

That the Griffith University alumnus is doing so while negotiating the challenges of living in a patriarchal society in the Middle East, makes her efforts all the more admirable.
As Associate Dean and Head of Department (Management) in the Faculty of Business Administration at Université Antonine in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, an important part of Elizabeth’s teaching is defined by her own example.
“I’ve always wanted to make a difference wherever my career might lead, although it’s certainly more demanding in a society so steeped in the patriarchal tradition,” says Elizabeth, adding that her connection to Griffith University has been an asset in breaking through institutional and societal barriers.
A former President and Vice-President of the Student Guild on the Gold Coast, Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) in 1996.
In acknowledgment

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Nobel Peace Prize recipient Professor Muhammad Yunus will present the 2017 Griffith Lecture at the Queensland Conservatorium on Tuesday, April 11.
In his address, Professor Yunus will outline his famous Three Zeros theory which aims to inspire us to create a sustainable future and achieve the vision of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The theory encapsulates the goal of zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero net carbon emissions.
“What will be the use of population if there is not enough food and the earth is polluted,” the Nobel Laureate has famously said.
Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus will present the Griffith Lecture
One of only seven individuals to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the US Congressional Gold Medal, Professor Yunus will examine the crucial nexus between business thinking in a rapidly growing technological age and positive social outcomes.
New models must be found
The anti-poverty crusader, who in 1983 opened

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The cost of Australia’s ice epidemic to the country’s mental health sector is ‘conservatively’ estimated at $193 million a year, a new Griffith Business School study has found.
Thomas Massey, who graduated with an honours degree in economics, also established a profile for people most at risk of taking up ice.
He analysed the demographic variables of people who use methamphetamine, using statistics from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (AIHW).
“The most at-risk audience is aged 25-35 years old, single, living either alone or with flatmates, relatively uneducated and residing in major cities or rural areas,” he said.
“Those living in outer suburbs are less likely than those living in the city to take up methamphetamine. Furthermore, people living in outer regional and remote parts of Australia are significantly more likely to take up the drug.”
Who uses methamphetamine?
The economic study, which compared demographic data from 2013 with data from 2004, also found females

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Increased reporting. Heightened campaigns. A commitment by the state government to combat the problem, domestic violence specialist courts, domestic violence death and homicide review board, and integrated response strategies from the key agencies involved.
These are just some of the ways that Queensland is leading the country in the fight against domestic violence. And with International Women’s Day this week, there is one woman proactively leading the changes. Dr Kathleen Baird.
A midwife by profession, Dr Baird from Griffith’s Menzies Health Institute Queensland is passionate about improving identification of the issue and developing strategies to better support women experiencing domestic family violence (DFV) and raising awareness of the seriousness of  the crime.
Dr Baird, also the Director of Education for Midwifery and Nursing, Women’s and Newborn Services,  at the Gold Coast University Hospital, was appointed in 2015 by the Attorney-General and the Premier, to the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council (QLD

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Compassion is the driving force behind Griffith University first-year education student Anja van Aswegen’s desire to teach.
The former Coomera Anglican College school captain, who graduated in 2016 with an OP3, says she tossed up a few different career options and decided on teaching because she wants to instil compassion in others.
Quoting British philosopher Betrand Russell, she says knowledge without love is not enough, you need to have a life inspired by love but guided by knowledge.
Impressed by Griffith’s new education degree with its foundation first year enabling students to decide at the end of that year whether they will go into primary or secondary, Anja who is based the Gold Coast campus, says she is definitely leaning towards primary teaching.
“I’m interested in teaching early childhood as it’s easier to influence young minds and teach them about the importance of compassion,’’ she said.
The Griffith Honours College student also won a Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship to help with

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Griffith’s focus on graduate employability is again to the fore with the launch of Australia’s first university-operated recruitment service.
Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Ian O’Connor, formally opened Unitemps Griffith on Monday and Tuesday at the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses respectively.
More than 250 students and recent graduates have filled a broad range of vacancies through Unitemps Griffith since the initiative went live last July.
Businesses from sectors including digital technology, finance, education, health, tourism and transport have used Unitemps to source students from all university study areas for temporary roles.
“A common challenge for businesses is not knowing how to connect with students who would be valuable assets to their organisation,” Jenny O’Neill, branch manager of Unitemps Griffith, said.
“Employers associate students with being up to the minute in terms of social media, technology, marketing and entrepreneurship. In looking to university students, they’re also chasing fresh ideas combined with initiative, personal spark plus a

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Griffith University features among the world’s elite institutions in 28 subject areas covered in the 2017 QS World University Rankings by Subject, which were unveiled today (March 8).
Griffith was ranked in the top 100 institutions worldwide in 11 subject areas, including a world top 10 position in Hospitality and Leisure Management (which was also ranked number one in Australia).
Three other subject areas – Nursing and Midwifery, Development Studies and Performing Arts – gained top 50 positions on the global stage, making this Griffith’s best ever result in the seventh edition of the prestigious annual ranking system.
“This result is significant acknowledgement of Griffith’s status as one of Australia’s most comprehensive research and teaching universities,” Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian O’Connor (left),  said.
“The latest QS rankings reflect the rapid expansion and external recognition of our comprehensive research and teaching profile.
“The QS rankings measure reputation through a global academic and employer survey and also use quantitative indicators

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The Queensland Conservatorium is among the top 50 performing arts institutions in the world, according to the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Griffith University’s Performing Arts programs were ranked at number 46.
The list ranks universities across the world, and is determined by surveys of leading academic experts and employers who recruit outstanding graduates in their field.
It is the first time the Queensland Conservatorium has made it into the top 50, alongside internationally renowned music schools such as Juilliard, the Royal College of Music and the Paris Conservatoire.
Hitting a high note
“We are delighted with this result,” said Director of the Queensland Conservatorium Professor Scott Harrison.
“Our position in the top 50 globally reflects our determination to be one of the world’s leading conservatoires, and recognises the outstanding work of our faculty who have helped achieve this vision.”
“The undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the Conservatorium provide a world class learning experience,

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Over 200 first year law students packed the gallery of the Banco Court at the Brisbane Supreme and District Courts for their first week at the Griffith Law School.
While no one was on trial, the event capped off Griffith Law School’s orientation week and brought together alumni and industry representatives to give an introduction to the profession and to discuss career paths.
Students were treated to a welcome address from Queensland’s first appointed female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Honourable Catherine Holmes.
She explained how the Banco Court is a fitting start to their journey as it is also used ceremoniously to admit apprentice lawyers into the profession.
“I encourage you to go beyond learning just the rules and law from textbooks – get actively involved in your studies, attend court, and observe cases being decided before a judge,” said Chief Justice Holmes.
Industry representatives from the Queensland Law Society and the

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