Aim for Making a Difference in This World – The Launch of UNSW Law and Justice 2030

New Strategy Charts the Future for UNSW Law & Justice

On Wednesday, 4 September, UNSW Law & Justice unveiled its new strategic plan, Law & Justice 2030, marking a pivotal moment in the faculty’s history. This initiative, developed through an inclusive and collaborative process, embodies a shared vision for the future, reflecting input from a wide range of stakeholders.

Law & Justice 2030^[1] sets forth a bold and outward-focused mission: advancing justice to create a fairer world. This aligns closely with UNSW’s overarching philosophy of “Progress for All” and its Societal Impact Framework.

“Having a strategy to focus our efforts on what matters most and where we can make the greatest impact is crucial as we address the complex challenges facing communities locally and globally,” said Professor Andrew Lynch, Dean of UNSW Law & Justice.

He emphasized that the strategy envisions a future grounded in strong partnerships, both within UNSW and with the broader community. “It champions innovation, inclusivity, and a forward-looking approach to legal education and research. By doing so, it ensures we remain among the world’s top law faculties, equipping our students to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities of the 21st century.”

The plan identifies key areas where the faculty aims to drive meaningful change through collaboration with experts from across UNSW, as well as with community and industry partners. These priority areas include First Nations justice, defending democratic constitutionalism, addressing the climate crisis, human rights and displacement, and the implications of AI and disruptive technologies.

Long dedicated to tackling complex societal issues, the faculty reaffirms its core values of critical thinking, equity, fairness, and the rule of law. These principles, coupled with a commitment to community service and constructive dialogue, form the foundation of the new strategy.

A Collective Effort with a Bold Vision

The creation of Law & Justice 2030 was a collaborative journey that began with a faculty-wide retreat in late 2023. Approximately 150 academic and professional staff came together to discuss the future of legal education and research in an ever-evolving world. Insights from this event sparked a year-long consultation process, highlighting the importance of collective engagement in shaping the faculty’s direction.

Over 50 engagement events—including workshops, town halls, surveys, and committee meetings—were held, providing students, staff, alumni, partners, and leadership teams with multiple opportunities to contribute. The result is a strategy deeply rooted in the experiences and aspirations of the faculty community, aiming for both authenticity and ambition.

At the strategy’s launch, UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs commended the faculty’s dedication: “Your passion for law and justice, and your unwavering commitment to those impacted by it, will propel this strategy and its vision toward success.”

^[1] “Law & Justice 2030 | Law & Justice.” n.d. UNSW Sydney. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://www.unsw.edu.au/law-justice/about-us/law-and-justice-2030

BERITA TERKAIT