Who We Are

Farid Ghalib

Farid is a dedicated advocate for human rights, social justice, and refugee support, with over a decade of professional experience. His understanding of refugee issues is deeply personal, stemming from his own experiences as a displaced person.   In 1996, Farid (aged 5) and his family fled their homeland of Afghanistan due to religious and ethnic persecution following the rise of the Taliban.  After the Taliban was overthrown in 2004, they were able to return. Farid completed school and earned a bachelor’s degree in law and political science and a master’s in development studies with a focus on human rights, gender, and conflict studies.   Arriving in Australia in July 2019, Farid faced significant challenges, including detention, homelessness, and self-representation in court. Despite these obstacles, he viewed each experience as an opportunity for growth and resilience.   Before joining Mercy Works, Farid was the Refugee Program Coordinator at the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice & Community Education. He has also held roles at Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), Amnesty International, Australia for UNHCR, and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.