PROFESSOR GRAEME HUGO
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL KEY CENTRE FOR SOCIAL APPLICATIONS OF GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
LEVEL 8, NAPIER BUILDING
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
SA 5005, AUSTRALIA
TELEPHONE +61 8 8303 3996/8303 3900
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CRICOS Provider Number 00123M
Dear Sir/Madam

I am currently leading a research project on the 'Economic, social and civic contributions of first & second generation humanitarian entrants'. This research is being undertaken by the University of Adelaide and is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The project seeks to understand the many valuable ways in which migrants from a refugee background – and their children - have contributed to Australia's social, economic and civic development over the past twenty years. This research will have important implications for Australia's refugee settlement policy.

As part of this research we are interested in speaking with business owners who arrived in Australia as refugees or humanitarian entrants (after 1975) and their children who have established businesses.

I am writing to invite you to take part in an informal interview as part of this project. We are interested in the factors that have helped and hindered the growth of your business; the international trade links you may have established; and your beliefs on how your experiences – as a first or second generation refugee – have influenced the development of your business.

The interview would comprise two parts. First the interviewer would run through a survey with you asking very basic questions about your migration and business experience. Second the interviewer would ask you some more in depth questions about how you established your business and what plans you have for its growth. We are looking to write interesting and successful case studies of refugees - first and second generation – who have established their own businesses.

The first part of the interview is completely anonymous; your name will not be used and survey data will be reported in a consolidated way. You can chose whether you would like your name and that of your business to be used for the second part of the interview.

This interview would take approximately 30 - 40 minutes and can be held at a time and place which is convenient for you. My research associate Dr Sanjugta Vas Dev will be in Sydney on the 30th and 31st March and will be happy to meet with you if you would like to take part.

Please feel free to contact Sanjugta at:

Dr Sanjugta Vas Dev (08) 83034598 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before the 25th March.

Alternatively, if you are not free on those dates, Sanjugta can give you a call and conduct the interview via phone.

We believe that your knowledge and experience would be invaluable to this project and your feedback on the important entrepreneurial contribution refugees have made to this country would be important for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Many thanks for your time and looking forward to your cooperation in this important study.

Professor Graeme Hugo