A journey worth undertaking

Kuol Garong arrived arrived in Cairns for the first time on 19th December 2023 after having travelled just under 3,000 kilometres from Melbourne. Kuol recalls that Cairns felt like a country of its own. He found it invigorating to arrive in a new place and it had been made more exciting as he had been been accepted by James Cook University (JCU) Graduate Research School to commence his Doctor of Philosophy adventure. Kuol shares his experience with us.

"Driving from Melbourne through Sydney, Brisbane, and Townsville before finally reaching Cairns was a scenic and memorable experience. The journey allowed me to stop and appreciate the natural beauty of Australia's East Coast, parts of central Australia, and Far North Queensland. This journey to JCU was not just a change of location—it has created lasting memories."

"The commencement of my studies at JCU was a smooth process, thanks to the committed and helpful advisors and colleagues at the university. The people were welcoming, and that alone made the move to Cairns far less stressful." "Now in my third year, the time seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. Years feel like months, months like weeks, and weeks like days. This is the reality for many PhD students—when your study desk becomes your second home."

"Today, I am proud to have published work on a topic that is deeply personal. Having lived through political turbulence in the former Sudan and witnessed this turbulence into the newly independent South Sudan, my life has been a journey of seeking answers and finding ways to contribute to peace."

"My upcoming peer-reviewed journal article—Chiefs’ Courts and Peacebuilding in South Sudan: Bridging Tradition and Modernity— with Dr Kearrin Sims, sheds light on the important role that chiefs’ courts play in grassroots peacebuilding. Chiefs’ courts are a traditional justice system led by community chiefs. They handle local disputes in a manner that is accessible, transparent, and grounded in local customs, often focusing on compensation to restore broken relationships."

"However, the system also faces context-specific challenges, including issues related to human rights. In response, the article recommends aligning the operations of chiefs’ courts with contemporary human rights standards. This can be achieved by providing training to traditional chiefs and increasing the involvement of women and youth in these courts."

April 2025