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.

Through interdisciplinary research, we address societal challenges and contribute to sustainable development by developing strategies that enhance institutional effectiveness. RMIT integrates these principles into learning and teaching, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate for human rights and legal reforms. Our work exemplifies RMIT’s dedication to creating a just and equitable society through impactful research, teaching, and community engagement.

Highlights of recent SDG 16 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2024 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 23 MB), with our 10 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.

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 2024 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 264 course units and 243 research projects aligned with SDG 16 in 2024, representing a wide range of initiatives related to peace, justice and strong institutions.

Other research insights are captured in the data below.

  • Course Units (Total): 264
  • Research Projects (Total): 243
  • International Research Partnerships (Total): 34
  • Publications (Total): 135
  • Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SJR (%): RMIT - 75.4 vs. Global Average - 57.6
  • Citations per Publication: RMIT - 2.1 vs. Global Average - 1.1
  • Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): RMIT - 1.5 vs. Global Average - 1.0
  • National Publication Contribution (%): 3.5%
  • International Collaboration (%): RMIT - 46.7 vs. Global Average - 21.7
  • Developing Country Collaboration (%): 30%Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%): 16%

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.

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