Paris Aristotle AM is the Director of Foundation House, a position he has held since the organisation’s establishment in 1987.

In 2002 Paris was appointed as a part time Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. Paris has also held several positions on government advisory bodies in the settlement and human service fields over the past 15 years.  He currently holds positions on the Federal Government’s Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council and the Immigration Detention Advisory Group.

Paris has also been a member of a number of official delegations to the UNHCR Executive Committee and most recently, a member of the UNHCR Executive Committee on Resettlement and Integration.

In 2002 Paris was made a Member of the Order of Australia and in 2003 was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal, both honours recognising his longstanding work with refugees, in particular survivors of torture.

Director's keynote presentations:

African Imprints: African Resettlement in Australia conference
Friday 13th April, 2007 - The University of Melbourne

Australia’s successful refugee and humanitarian program has played an important role in the development of multiculturalism and valuing cultural diversity. We also need to explore the notion of “integration potential” and the challenges and myths that have characterised perceptions of recently arrived refugees from Africa.

To download a copy of Paris Aristotle's presentation click here
To download a copy of Paris Aristotle's talking notes click here

Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) Congress 2007
Wednesday 1st August, 2007 - RACV Club Conference Centre

Presentation on the notion of citizenship and how our model of citizenship needs to keep pace with national and global responsibilities. In the context of refugees, asylum seekers and other emerging migrant communities, citizenship can be a practical manifestation of how to value our diversity, can enrich us by consolidating those things that we share in common and enlighten us with those things that define our differences.

To download a copy of Paris Aristotle's address click here