UN General Assembly 6th Committee
05-09 October 2026 | New York, USA

Meet the 2026 UNGA Fellows

Lucy Pattinson

Lucy is a third year Bachelor of Laws student at Flinders University who is driven by compassion for vulnerable populations and motivated by a commitment to achieving results. She has completed a Diploma in Criminology which deepens her understanding of the social structural issues that shape people's experiences with the law. Drawn to discussions of climate change and refugee justice, her policy is for a Pacific-led Climate Mobility Framework that combines migration pathways with culturally responsive settlement processes. The policy proposes permanent frameworks for long term integration protections for climate-displaced Pacific Island communities.

Arya Moodley

Arya is a penultimate-year Laws and Politics student at the University of Sydney, with a deep commitment to leveraging legal practice to advance justice for women and underrepresented communities. Her experience spans prestigious internships at Clifford Chance and Eucalyptus, and frontline advocacy as a Facilitator at the Survivor's Hub, supporting sexual assault survivors.

She has also served as Development and Partnerships Intern at the International Girls School Coalition and Head of School Engagement at Raise Our Voices Australia. Her policy work will examine violence against women in Australian immigration detention facilities, advocating for detained women's rights.

Olivia McKenny

Olivia is a proud Gomeroi and Wiradjuri woman completing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of New England. She advocates for First Nations language rights, grounding her work in principles of justice, accountability and the rule of law. Olivia maintains that First Languages are not mere cultural artefacts but living expressions of Indigenous sovereignty that carry law and shape relationships to Country, waters, skies and all living things. Drawing on established international human rights standards protecting First Languages and comparative approaches, she argues for the enforceable protection of First Languages in Australian law and policy, rather than symbolic recognition.

Olivia's policy focus is developing legislative and policy frameworks that protect First Languages through clear, enforceable duties in public life and essential services, with community authority over implementation. She is interested in practical tools for policymakers, parliament and the courts that embed these obligations as matters of the rule of law and fundamental human rights.

Ashton Shurey

Ashton is a fifth-year student at Monash University pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Global Studies, specialising in Cultural Competence and Mandarin. He undertook an exchange semester at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and, more recently, completed an international law internship with the Ham Diley Campaign Afghanistan Support Clinic.

Ashton's interests encompass international law, human rights, diplomacy, and global affairs, with a particular focus on Australia's engagement in international law and multilateral cooperation. He is multilingual, speaking four languages, and is passionate about intercultural communication and its influence on advocacy.

Ashton's policy proposal focuses on how Australia can strengthen its use of universal jurisdiction to improve accountability for serious international crimes, reinforce its commitment to international law, and better support victim-survivors. It aims to address legal and institutional barriers that have limited the exercise of universal jurisdiction in Australia.

Pooja Zinzuwadia

Pooja Zinzuwadia is a 4th year student at Western Sydney University studying Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Criminal & Community Justice. As an elected member of her University's Board of Trustees, she is dedicated to creating pathways for women from Western Sydney to lead with confidence and purpose.

Working within the federal Attorney-General for the past 3 years has shown Pooja both the promise and danger of emerging technology. She is inspired by the power of Artificial Intelligence to humanise and modernise migration systems, yet conscious about the dangers of unregulated Al within migration systems, where a lack of transparency and accountability can turn deeply human decisions into invisible algorithms that risk bias and injustice. She is also deeply conscious of its darker edges, from deepfakes to digitally manufactured exploitation that steals identity and safety from women. Pooja is not simply studying law, she is preparing to rewrite who the law protects, remembers and empowers.

What is the Sir Ninian Stephen’s Law Delegation?

Proudly Powered by the Menzies Leadership Foundation, the Sir Ninian Stephen Law Delegation honours the extraordinary legacy of Sir Ninian Stephen, one of Australia’s most distinguished legal minds. Sir Ninian Stephen was an Australian Judge, High Court Justice and the 20th Governor General of Australia. Originally studying at Melbourne Law School and quickly becoming one of Australia’s leading constitutional lawyers, Sir Ninian Stephen had a remarkable career - being appointed as a judge on the international tribunals investigating war crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda, in addition to serving as Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment and as special envoy of the UN Secretary General to resolve political conflicts in Bangladesh.

Following his passing in 2017, Sir Ninian left behind a powerful legacy, including a fund dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Australian leaders in international law. In 2025, Global Voices proudly partnered with the Menzies Foundation to launch the inaugural Sir Ninian Stephen Law Delegation in his honour. Through the Global Voices Policy Fellowship, young legal students and professionals will have the unique opportunity to attend and observe the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee, gaining firsthand experience in the international legal arena while continuing Sir Ninian’s commitment to justice on a global scale.

What is the United Nations General Assembly 6th Committee?

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 6th Committee (Legal) is the primary forum where all 193 UN member states discuss and develop international law. As one of the six main committees of the UN General Assembly, it is responsible for legal questions related to international governance, peace and security, and state cooperation.

The Sixth Committee works closely with institutions like the International Law Commission (ILC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to create and refine legal frameworks that govern global interactions. Topics addressed by the committee include counterterrorism, international humanitarian law, treaty law, peacekeeping operations, and legal responsibilities of states. Every year, legal experts, diplomats, and government representatives gather at UN Headquarters in New York to deliberate on these critical matters, shaping the future of international legal policies.

For Global Voices Fellows, attending the UNGA Sixth Committee provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with international legal discussions and diplomacy at the highest level. Fellows will witness live negotiations on pressing global legal issues, gaining firsthand insights into the complexities of international law. They will also participate in high-level briefings, side events, and private meetings with legal experts, diplomats, and policymakers. Through this experience, Fellows will enhance their understanding of global governance, expand their professional networks, and develop valuable skills in policy analysis and legal diplomacy.

By attending the Sixth Committee, Global Voices Fellows will deepen their expertise in international law and position themselves as future leaders in legal and policy fields, equipped with the knowledge and connections to contribute meaningfully to international affairs.

To be eligible to apply, you must:

We are looking for delegates that have:

Be aged 18 - 30 for the full duration of the program
Be available for pre-departure training in Canberra, 22nd-24th June 2026
Be available and able to travel for the full duration of the international delegation you are applying for
Be able to travel to the country of the delegation you are applying for
Have the ability to commit at least 5 hours per week to the fellowship program
Currently hold or can obtain a passport which is valid for at least 6-months after the end of your delegation
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Have not taken part in the Global Voices Fellowship Program before
You are a current/graduate student of law AND/OR have experience in the law/legal profession.

Personal and/or professional interest in the delegation’s purpose and issues
Potential to gain professionally and personally from the Fellowship Program
Intention to use this unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their communities
A desire to upskill in policy writing to create meaningful change.

There are 2 Fellowship streams you can apply for:

Menzies Leadership Foundation

If you are aged 18–30 (and meet all other eligibility requirements) with a passion for leadership and driving positive change, you can apply for UNGA 6th Committee through the Menzies Leadership Foundation stream.

Menzies Leadership Foundation aspires to raise the profile and importance of outstanding leadership by encouraging Australians to reflect on leadership, build their leadership capability and act for the greater good.

The Foundation supports leadership platforms which facilitate the exploration, deepen understanding, and codification of approaches to leadership. Their efforts to examine various dimensions of leadership from diverse perspectives reinforce the Foundation’s commitment to identifying the essential leadership qualities and attributes required for effective leadership in both the Australian and global contexts. This important work supports our leadership movement as we share these insights with the Australian and Global community; contributing to the leadership discourse.

Global Voices Scholarship

If you are an Australian aged between 18 and 30 years old (and meet all other eligibility requirements) with a passion for leadership and driving positive change, you can apply to attend the IMF/WB via our Global Voices National Scholarship.

At Global Voices we strive to make these opportunities as accessible as possible for everyone, and this year we are proud to open applications nationally for dedicated young people looking to make tangible policy change.

UN General Assembly 6th Committee 05-09 October 2026 | New York, USA