Our thinking Archives - Jesuit Social Services

International Day of People with Disability
- 3 December 2025
If we group people together in groups, we risk focusing on their difference from ourselves, define them by that difference and not by what we share, and then avoid them out of embarrassment or fear, reflects Andy Hamilton SJ.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2025
- 17 October 2025
"We should not need a special day to encourage us to eradicate poverty in Australia. Poverty is more than a problem to be studied. It wears the face of people whom we meet in the street, through the Vinnies, and see sleeping on the streets. Poverty could wear the face of ourselves, of our children,"…
Jesuit Social Services’ statement on Treaty
- 9 October 2025
As an organisation, we support Treaty because – while we can’t change the immeasurable harm inflicted on Aboriginal people since colonisation – we can create a better future together.
World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2025
- 26 September 2025
In his latest piece, ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes that World Day for Migrants and Refugees “reminds us that refugees and migrants are not our rivals nor a threat but are our brothers and sisters whom we invite to share our good fortune.” The World Day for Migrants and Refugees draws our attention to the contribution…
National Child Protection Week 2025
- 15 September 2025
Recognising how widespread abuse of children has been—and how vital it is to respond with both honesty and vigilance—is a responsibility that rests with all of us, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. This National Child Protection Week (7–13 September), together with Catholic Child Protection Sunday (14 September), calls us to safeguard children from harm, confront cultures…
World Suicide Prevention Day 2025
- 10 September 2025
World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us that suicide is about more than statistics, reflects ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Suicide is not just about numbers. Even so, we should be concerned that, after some years of decline, the number of people who took their lives have risen this year. It remains the main killer of young people,…
Signs of Hope on the Edge: Social Justice Statement 2025-2026
- 20 August 2025
ANDY HAMILTON SJ reflects on the recently released 2025-26 Social Justice Statement, whose theme is "Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving Homeless People with Mental Ill Health."
There's a better way to tackle youth crime crisis
- 5 August 2025
Through our nearly 50 years of work with young people who have contact with the justice system, we’ve learnt that this is a more effective way to achieve strong and cohesive communities. There’s a lot of work needed to repair the Territory, our home, but the first steps are recognising the harm we’re doing to…
Feast day of St. Ignatius Loyola
- 30 July 2025
Today Is the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, commemorating the life and work of the founder of the Jesuits. As ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes, St Ignatius Loyola's recognition of the need for a vision of human life and of our relationships to one another continues to inspire and drive the work of Jesuit…
Holding out for climate action in the Territory
- 3 July 2025
The convincing re-election of the Albanese government signals that Australians want to see action on climate justice, and on policies that improve social cohesion and community wellbeing. But the CLP seems to be leading the NT in the opposite direction, based on its budget and new policy positions.