Pam Hartgerink has had a long-term commitment to social justice, human rights, and community development, and has worked with refugee and migrant communities in Australia for many years. Pam has also worked as a volunteer through Australian Volunteers International (AVI) in Afghanistan, South Africa and Timor-Leste, working with local NGOs. She has a Master of Management (Community) (UTS) and a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (USYD). In late 2022 she spent 3 months in the West Bank of the Occupied Palestinian Territories as a human rights volunteer with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).