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Addressing insecure work must be accompanied by addressing disadvantage
Last week, the Victorian Inquiry into Labour Hire and Insecure Work handed the Victorian Government its final report after receiving almost 700 submissions from individuals and organisations, including Jesuit Social Services. We look forward to the report being made public in due course and commend the Government’s focus on improving the safeguards and supports for…
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Close offshore processing and Bring Them Here
Jesuit Social Services has called for refugees and people seeking asylum currently on Nauru to be brought to Australia, joining the Australian Catholic Bishops Council, Amnesty International and many other people of goodwill in a growing chorus of support for such a move. Further, Jesuit Social Services has pledged its support as part of a…
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How to help people be happy: respect, constancy and connection
The International Day of Happiness is a quirky celebration. Most international days celebrate groups of people – women, children, journalists, refugees etc. Or they point to quite specific qualities that we need in order to flourish: mental and physical health, peace, or asylum. They encourage us to be attentive to particular groups of people who…
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Deporting child migrants who commit crimes will only increase social exclusion
As Australian politicians talk tough on serious crimes committed by migrants, Jesuit Social Services volunteer JAMES ALLEN explores solutions that build trust, foster belonging and strengthen social cohesion for diverse communities. Recent media reporting on issues relating to migrants has highlighted politicians’ views in favour of supporting the deportation of migrants, including children, who commit…
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Volunteers build communities of justice
Volunteers and staff at Jesuit Social Services’ National Volunteer Week afternoon tea We celebrated the collective effort of Jesuit Social Services volunteers with an afternoon tea on Wednesday 10 May in Richmond. The event was one of thousands held across Australia during National Volunteer Week (8-14 May 2017) to say thank you to volunteers. During…
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Submission to the Humanitarian Programme 2017-18 discussion paper
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to put forward our views on the composition of the 2017-18 Humanitarian Programme, as well as initiatives assisting humanitarian entrants to secure stable employment and achieve self-sufficiency. In our submission we call for a more generous response to the needs of displaced people under an expanded Humanitarian Programme. We…
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How Sinke catalysed her corporate career through the African-Australian Inclusion Program
The single largest barrier to employment for migrants and refugees in Australia is the lack of opportunity and quality work experience. The African-Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) breaks down this barrier by providing six months of paid work, mentoring and career coaching to qualified African-Australians. Run in partnership between Jesuit Social Services and National Australia Bank…
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Ecology in practice at the 2017 Jesuit Social Apostolate Gathering
Run by Jesuit Conference Asia Pacific (JCAP), the Social Apostolate Gathering is an annual opportunity for Jesuit ministries in the region to exchange information and build networks. GARRY ROACH, our General Manager of Practice Development & Innovation, reflects on his experience as a first-time attendee. Attendees at JCAP’s 2017 Social Apostalate Gathering in Myanmar pose…
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“I want to provide my son a better life than what I had”
The single largest barrier to employment for migrants and refugees in Australia is the lack of opportunity and quality work experience. The African-Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) breaks down this barrier by providing six months of paid work, mentoring and career coaching to qualified African-Australians. Recently, the AAIP celebrated its 300th participant. Atway Akec shares his story of…
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Overcoming adversity to thrive
Jefry Yikwa has experienced significant adversity on his journey to Australia. He talks to KATHRYN KERNOHAN about the importance of feeling part of a community and his work with Jesuit Social Services’ Speakers Program. Jefry from the Speakers Program The pathway to Jefry Yikwa’s life in Australia was full of challenges. The West Papuan refugee…