‍30th June 2025 - JustSpeak is excited to announce the launch of a Global Freedom Scholars network in Aotearoa New Zealand. The network will be launched with a special docuseries screening with guest speakers in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 29th July 2025. 

Global Freedom Scholars is a growing international network dedicated to supporting, promoting, and advocating for educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated university students. The Aotearoa New Zealand chapter will be led by Dave Burnside, with administrative support from JustSpeak.

“JustSpeak is so excited to be able to support the establishment of Global Freedom Scholars Aotearoa. Our mission is to put social wellbeing at the heart of our justice system, and providing educational opportunities does exactly that,” says Lisa Silipa, Executive Director of JustSpeak.  

“Ultimately, we all want to be part of a society that is safe, and that allows everyone to thrive. Providing educational opportunities is one of the most effective ways to increase safety, reduce harm, and empower individuals both in prison and post-release.”

The launch event will screen selected episodes from Incarceration Nations: A Global Docuseries, offering a global perspective on incarceration and education. This will be interspersed with reflections and discussions from guest speakers who have both academic and lived experience of incarceration and education; Tracey McIntosh, Awatea Mita, and Dave Burnside. It will be a space for networking and building connections among those committed to advancing higher education opportunities for people affected by incarceration in New Zealand.  

The event is open to the public, and is an opportunity to grow people’s understanding of some of the benefits and challenges of higher education in prisons, and post-release. Anyone who is interested in ways to reduce harm in our communities is welcome to attend. 

When: Tuesday 29th July 2025

Where: Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland Central

Time: 6pm - 8pm, doors at 5.30pm

Tickets: $20 from Humanitix. There will be no door sales, so please purchase online in advance. 

For all event enquiries contact info@justspeak.org.nz and for regular event updates follow JustSpeak on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn 

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-ENDS-

For all media enquiries, please contact Anusha Bhana on media@justspeak.org.nz 

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Additional Information

Incarceration Nations Network is a global network that supports, instigates and popularises innovative prison reform and justice reimagining efforts around the world. We are a partner-led organisation that is globally minded but locally grounded, committed to transnational solidarity, intersectionality and working towards a world without prisons. INN runs the Global Freedom Scholars Network, the world’s first transnational network of justice-involved students.  

‍Global Freedom Scholars Network is a transnational network for justice-impacted university students. The network supports, instigates and advocates for the advancement of educational opportunities and post-release support for incarcerated students across the globe. There are chapter leaders in Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Australia.