Goal 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Goal 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

RMIT is committed to fostering peaceful and inclusive societies by promoting access to justice and building accountable, inclusive institutions. Our efforts align with these goals through research projects and educational initiatives focused on law, justice, peace, and human rights.

RMIT contributes to more inclusive, accountable and just societies through research, education, policy engagement and community partnerships. 

The University supports initiatives that strengthen access to justice, promote human rights, encourage civic participation and address social inequities. 

Through work with governments, community organisations and international partners, RMIT helps build understanding, inform policy and contribute to institutions that are fair, transparent and responsive to the communities they serve.

Highlights of recent SDG 16 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2025 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 13 MB), with our 11 years of reporting progress outlined on the Sustainability Annual Report webpage.

Broader sustainability contributions are also highlighted in our organisational Annual Report, which are tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

2025 Case Studies

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RMIT is committed to addressing modern slavery risks and promoting ethical and transparent practices across its operations and supply chains. Recognising modern slavery as a complex global human rights issue, the University undertakes ongoing work to identify, assess and address risks associated with forced labour, human trafficking, servitude and other forms of exploitation. 

In 2025, RMIT continued to strengthen its approach through annual modern slavery reporting, supplier risk assessments, sector-wide collaboration and procurement processes that embed human rights considerations into decision-making. 

The University also participates in the Australian Universities Procurement Network (AUPN) University Anti-Slavery Program, which collectively reviewed more than 180,000 suppliers and $14 billion in expenditure across the higher education sector to improve transparency and risk management. 

By promoting accountability, ethical governance and respect for human rights, RMIT is helping build stronger and more responsible institutions.

In 2025, RMIT celebrated 10 years of the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, a partnership with Corrections Victoria that brings incarcerated and non-incarcerated students together to learn about justice, social inclusion and systemic change. 

More than 1,000 participants have engaged with the program across eight correctional facilities since its establishment. 

Research has shown the program supports rehabilitation, builds confidence and critical thinking skills, and creates pathways to further education and employment for people in custody. Through associated prison-based Think Tanks, participants have contributed to more than 150 stakeholder consultations and over 50 reports informing justice policy and practice. 

The program demonstrates how education can promote inclusion, strengthen institutions and contribute to a fairer society.

RMIT hosted the first UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand in 2025, bringing together more than 500 participants and over 100 speakers from government, academia, industry and civil society. 

The event explored issues including modern slavery, Indigenous rights, responsible supply chains, artificial intelligence and human rights due diligence. 

By creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration, RMIT is helping strengthen understanding and action on human rights issues across the region.

2024 Case Studies

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RMIT is committed to combating modern slavery by ensuring ethical practices across its operations and supply chains.

The university implements rigorous due diligence processes to identify and mitigate risks associated with forced labour, human trafficking, and exploitation. RMIT’s approach includes developing policies and training programs to raise awareness and promote responsible practices among staff and suppliers.

By fostering partnerships with industry and government, the university aims to create a culture of transparency and accountability, ensuring that human rights are respected and upheld. RMIT's efforts contribute to building fair and inclusive institutions that prioritise justice and human dignity.

The university demonstrates its commitment through annual modern slavery statements, showcasing actions taken to address these critical issues.

The RMIT Sustainability and Equity Evaluation (SEE) Tool is a groundbreaking initiative that integrates equity, sustainability, and governance into the University’s strategic processes. Developed from the original SDGs Appraisal Toolkit in 2021, and expanded in 2023, the SEE Tool is helping to transform decision-making and accountability across the institution.

A dedicated team of professionals from sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and Indigenous engagement have worked collaboratively for over two years to embed social and environmental impacts into RMIT’s governance model. This ensures that our community can champion the University’s values without imposing an additional ‘cultural load’ on staff responsible for representing diverse perspectives. Key tool functions include:

  • Holistic Integration: The Tool weaves institutional values together, creating an applied approach to decision-making and building capabilities within our community.
  • Universal Design Approach: It enables RMIT to develop policies, processes, and procedures that are universally accessible and impactful.
  • Empowering Evaluation: By identifying contributions to Responsible Practice, the SDGs, and the IDEA framework, the Tool enhances positive social and environmental outcomes while mitigating negative impacts.

Throughout 2024, the SEE Tool assessed 12 policies and processes across social, equity, environmental, and governance considerations. This initiative was honoured with a Highly Commended award at the 2024 Green Gown Awards, highlighting its role in fostering a targeted understanding of sustainability impacts and enhancing the visibility of qualitative benefits

By reducing duplication and focusing efforts strategically, the SEE Tool empowers RMIT to achieve better outcomes for our people, communities, and environment.

The Tool itself is also an example of alignment with and embedding of the SDGs within the organisation.

BHRIGHT at RMIT is dedicated to embedding human rights principles within business practices, ensuring ethical and responsible conduct across industries. The centre conducts interdisciplinary research addressing corporate accountability, workers' rights, and equitable supply chains, collaborating with industry, government, and civil society to develop robust policies and frameworks.

In 2024, BHRIGHT focused on enhancing corporate accountability in the tech industry, addressing the ethical implications of emerging technologies on human rights. Through workshops and policy dialogues, the centre aimed to create guidelines for tech companies to uphold human rights standards.

BHRIGHT's work includes education and advocacy, empowering individuals and organisations to promote inclusive and just environments. By fostering collaboration and developing practical solutions, the centre contributes to the broader goal of building peaceful and accountable institutions.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2025 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 137 course units and 68 research projects aligned with SDG 16 in 2025, representing a wide range of initiatives related to peace, justice and strong institutions. 

Other SDG alignment insights are captured in the data below.

137 Course Units

68 Research Projects

9 International Research Partnerships

141 Publications

  RMIT Global Average
Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SIR (%) 79.7 60.2
Citations per Publication 3.0 1.5
Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) 2.2 33%
National Contribution (%) 3.7% N/A
International Collaboration  43.3 23.4
Developing Country Collaboration (%) 33% N/A
Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%) 23% N/A

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the aim to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

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City Partnerships Challenge

The City Partnerships Challenge is a United Nations Global Compact contribution to the Multi-Partner Implementation Facility for Sustainable Urban Development (IFSUD) to catalyse effective, coordinated and results based implementation of integrated sustainable urban development solutions.

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Ethnic diversity, socio-economic disadvantage and sense of belonging on Islamophobia locally and nationally

The impact of ethnic diversity, socio-economic disadvantage and sense of belonging on Islamophobia and social cohesion locally and nationally: a mixed-method, longitudinal analysis.

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Globalization, Populism and Humanitarian Sensibility in Australia

This project was commissioned by the Australian Red Cross to inquire into the nature of humanitarianism in Australian society.

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Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Relations and Community: Emerging Perspectives from Southeast Asia

This project examines the discourses and practices around corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs among community stakeholders in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples