The UN Refugee Agency has launched a global strategy called Beyond Detention to encourage countries to find alternatives to detaining asylum seekers and refugees.
The UNHCR says detention has become routine in a number of countries and it has lasting effects on those who are detained, especially children.
The agency will begin working with a number of countries initially to revisit their detention practices - but that list does not include Australia.
Ben Lewis of advocacy group International Detention Coalition spoke with Romi Levine about what the strategy will mean.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)
