Our thinking Archives - Page 14 of 34 - Jesuit Social Services

Better approaches to supporting young people in the Northern Territory
- 28 May 2021
In May, the Northern Territory Government introduced a number of legislative changes to the youth justice system that will see more children separated from family and community, and funnelled into detention. These deeply concerning measures include increasing grounds to refuse or revoke bail; reducing access to diversion; and more powers to place electronic monitoring devices…
National Reconciliation Week - Reconciliation must be first made with reality
- 24 May 2021
Ahead of Sorry Day (May 26) and National Reconciliation Week (May 27 – June 3), ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes that reconciliation begins by recognising the human reality of the relationships between Indigenous people and non-indigenous Australians and the history of those relationships. National Reconciliation Week this year marks the 20th anniversary of Reconciliation Australia and…
It all began with a ricocheting cannon ball
- 19 May 2021
From May 2021 until July 2022, the Jesuits and the Ignatian family, including Jesuit Social Services, celebrate an Ignatian Year. The Ignatian Year marks the 500th anniversary of the beginning of St. Ignatius’ transformation from Ignatius the soldier into Ignatius the pilgrim. ANDY HAMILTON SJ reflects on the events that led Ignatius to find the space…
World Health Day 2021
- 6 April 2021
Good health for the young, the old and the vulnerable must be built on respect for their humanity and on good relationships, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Most Australians are fortunate enough to be able to take their health for granted for much of their lives. We have sufficient food to keep us strong; we have…
Palm Sunday
- 25 March 2021
Palm Sunday invites us to consider the price we put on humanity and compassion, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Participants in the 2019 Walk for Justice for Refugees rally. This year we again celebrate Palm Sunday in the shadow of Coronavirus. As in previous years Palm Sunday is a day for remembering refugees. Marches take place…
Building a Just Society
- 25 March 2021
Back in 1977, Jesuit Social Services was born (as Four Flats) to respond to a real and important need. It was apparent that young men were exiting prison into homelessness with little support and no prospects of a job. A quote by then Pentridge Prison Chaplain, Fr John Brosnan, became a guiding principle for our…
Our recent policy work in gender justice: Advocating for interventions to address service gaps
- 21 March 2021
There is a growing awareness around the world that to prevent family violence we must shift the attitudes and behaviours of those already using, or at risk of using, violence. There has been some progress in this space but there is a long way to go and many opportunities for early intervention are currently being…
Closing the Gap
- 18 March 2021
Closing the gap in Indigenous inequality and health outcomes should be directed by the choices and needs of Indigenous Australians, not by the economic and political considerations of government, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Close the Gap Day is a sobering occasion each year. It records the gap between promises and actions, between aspiration and outcome.…
World Day of Social Justice
- 19 February 2021
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…
Australia Day
- 25 January 2021
Australia Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between European settlers and our first peoples, and appreciate the lessons we can learn from honouring indigenous connection to land, culture and country, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Australia Day recalls the arrival of the First Fleet under Governor Phillip in 1788. It marked the beginning…