Our CEO Julie Edwards is keeping us updated on the progress of the Ignatius Learning Centre. The Centre now has a full component of staff. You can read her full update here. 

This Saturday is World Day of Social Justice and is marked in recognition that social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Below is a selection of what you told us social justice means to you. To read the full response from staff, click here. 

"Caring for people and then following through and doing something about where things are not right, or where there is a lack of equality. Love in Action!"

"Equity and equality. The right for all to live a meaningful life and reach their potential - regardless of privilege status."

"When everyone's given the opportunity to be seen, to be listened to, and not held back from becoming the best version of themselves in whatever endeavour they choose." - Danielle

"The call for Social Justice should inspire us, enliven us, stir our souls and disturb our comfort and sometimes even haunt us. If it is only a job and a means to increase my own safety and comfort then I think I have forgotten what social justice is and what it does and will continue to cost us to achieve.

In the end, Social Justice has to become my problem and, even better, our problem to solve." - Dave Hammond

"Every human being to be valued in our community." - MK

"Social justice is asking what is going to bring the best outcome, rather than venting anger at damage to person or property. Social justice is listening to the experience and learning of others on the one hand, and on the other creatively seeking strategies that fit each particular person and circumstance. Social justice is possible when we stay aware of our own investments in one or other outcome, and let the compassion and wisdom deep within us take control." - Fran

"Empowering those closest to the social challenges we seek to address." - Matt 

Andy Hamilton SJ reflects on World Day of Social Justice

In Australia, World Day of Social Justice goes pretty much unnoticed. It is swamped by the start of the school year, the gathering speed and urgency in workplaces, and the last weeks of summer. These things leave little room for reflection. Catholics, too, may associate social justice with later months in the year when the annual social justice statement is released.

That said, World Day of Social Justice offers an opportunity for broader reflection.  As with other events, we normally think locally about social justice. The issues on which we focus and the terms in which we discuss them are those that concern Australia: inequality, the treatment of people who seek protection, the adequacy of support for those who are unemployed, people who are elderly or suffer from mental illness, and the discrimination against Indigenous Australians, for example. These failures are found in most nations, but they are given a particular shape by the local Australian economic settings and cultural attitudes. For that reason, we think of them in terms of local relationships, often failing to notice the wider forces that impinge on our local world.

Raise the Age

Julie Edwards had a letter published in the Herald Sun yesterday, calling on state and territory governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14. The current age of criminal responsibility - 10 years - lags behind many countries, including Canada, Germany, Japan and Brazil.

Andy Hamilton SJ wrote a reflection on the anniversary of the apology to Stolen Generations. Read it here.

Jesuit Social Services issued a media release calling on the Federal Government to raise the rate of Jobseeker payment. Read it here. 

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