St William’s Social Justice Group

St William’s Social Justice Group was formed in June 2006. The first goal of the group was to develop a Statement of Purpose to inform our reflective action.

Statement of Purpose

The St William’s Social Justice Group exists to build an awareness and knowledge of social justice issues, local, national and global.

Using scripture and Catholic Social Justice teaching, we will work to develop a justice perspective and make critical judgements that will determine our actions.

We will take specific and direct action to bring about social justice.

We will engage the parish in action for social justice and work collaboratively with other groups in the parish and other people of good will.

The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month in the Grovely Parish library. There are between 10-15 members with an additional 10 volunteers available to offer practical, hands on support.

Key Issues

The Social Justice Group (SJG) has identified 4 key areas on which to focus their resources:

• Homelessness & Affordable Housing
• Climate Change
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers
• People with a Disability / Inclusivity

The group has also identified a need to be aware of and active in Indigenous Reconciliation, and in the campaign for the Abolition of the Death Penalty.

Actions undertaken

Some actions the group has undertaken include:

• Organised ‘Walk to Mass Sunday’ to encourage parishioners to use alternative transport (not cars!) and reduce our impact on the environment.
• Supported an ACF presentation on Climate Change at the Daley Centre
• Published a discussion paper examining the social justice concerns of the Mitchelton Housing Development at Blackwood Street
• Developed an Inclusivity Policy for St William’s Parish
• Written to Members of Parliament to pressure for the fair treatment of David Hicks while at Guantanamo Bay
• Made available to the parish the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement.
  

What's On

This information received from the Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. Visit http://cjpcbrisbane.wordpress.com/ for further details.
 
10 October
Australians Against Capital Punishment Dinner – marks Anti-Death Penalty Day, theme of Politics of Drugs and Death, guest speakers including Dr Alex Wodak, Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation, 6.30 p.m. for 7.00 p.m., Western Districts Rugby Football Club, Silven Rd, Toowong, $45 for 3 course meal, RSVP by 3 October to Don on 0405 721 617 or email Don.Sinnamon@gmail.com

11 October
People’s Review – Review of Federal Intervention in NT, speakers include Michael Williams & Sam Watson, University of Qld, Penny Taylor, QTU, 12.30 p.m., Kurilpa Hall, 174 Boundary St, West End.

11-12 October
Greenfest – from 4 p.m. Friday to late Sunday, all you want to know about sustainability, see http://www.greenfest.com.au/

12-18 October
Anti-Poverty Week – See http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/

18 October
Stand Up & Take Action – organise event to support action to end world poverty, see http://www.makepoverty history.org.au.

Contact

For further information or to become involved, please email the St WIlliam's Parish Office.

Links

Climate Justice & Action Links
http://www.pineriverscan.org A local climate action group, based in Samford – be involved!

http://www.thebigswitch.org.au You can sign up to the Big Switch to stay informed about climate change action.

http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/climate-change/impacts/ Information on where climate change is having the greatest impact, particularly in poorer communities. There are lots of useful tools and ideas included.

http://www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome For more facts and ideas about climate change action around the home.
http://www.theweathermakers.org For insight, ideas, links and resources based on Tim Flannery’s book The Weather Makers

http://wwf.org.au/ourwork/climatechange Extensive information and resources from WWF Australia.

http://www.carbontradewatch.org The Carbon Trade Watch monitoring carbon trade practice.

http://www.foe.org.au/climate-justice Friends of the Earth for news, campaigns and resources on climate justice.

https://climatefriendly.com Choice magazine’s best rated carbon offset provider

http://www.climatecrisis.net All the information on Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’

Church in action
http://www.catholicearthcare.org.au/index.html Catholic Earthcare Australia provides resources and reflections.

http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org The (US-based) Catholic Coalition on Climate Change website provides insight into Church teaching in relation to climate change, focusing on the principles of prudence, poverty and the common good.

http://conservation.catholic.org/ The US Catholic Conservation Center promotes ecology, environmental justice and the stewardship of Creation with the website featuring writings from various Catholic sources.

http://www.cafod.org.uk/opinion/climate From the UK’s Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, find out how climate change is taking effect in places around the world.

http://www.mjuniting.org.au/greenchurch Maroubra Junction Uniting Church has developed Project Green Church. Find out more.

Government online resources
http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/ To better understand how our climate is changing in Australia and what is predicted into the future for all parts of the country. A clear and visual overview.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/resources/community.html Contains lots of practical ideas for households and communities to become more energy efficient and sustainable.

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/greenpaper/report/index.html The Federal Government’s Green Paper on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, for those with time to read it!

http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/get_involved/low_carbon_diet The Low Carbon Diet is an American program being adapted for use in Queensland to help communities educate people ways to minimise carbon emissions.

http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/your_home/climatesmart_home The newly launched ClimateSmart Home Service will start in January 2009. You can sign up to register your interest now.

http://www.garnautreport.org.au/ The report examining ‘the impacts, challenges and opportunities of climate change for Australia’.

Transport
http://www.thecarpool.com.au/site/index.cfm A way of getting in contact with other people in the local area to carpool

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/General_information/Travelsmart/ For information about the TravelSmart initiative in Queensland, including information about environmental and health benefits of walking and cycling.

http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/transport/fuelguide/tips.html For tips on how to drive more efficiently.
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/gwci/transport.html For ideas on how to save on your transport carbon emissions.

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