Home - ACU (The Australian Catholic University)

Site Navigation

Young Australians inspired to make a difference

More than 700 high school students discussed social responsibility and the moral and ethical dimensions of life at the Social Justice Youth Forum events, held recently at Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Brisbane, Melbourne and North Sydney campuses.

The 2010 keynote speakers were Ms Therese Rein, wife of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, businesswoman and psychologist; Mrs Pamela Curr,  human rights campaigner from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre; and, Mr Phil Glendenning, director of the Edmund Rice Centre. During her address, Ms Rein asked the students to think about what they find unjust in society.

“I ask you to … get in touch with what disturbs you, to identify what you think is unacceptable or unjust,” she said. “And then, having listened, I encourage you to turn that outrage into action. I urge you to find a way to do something effective about it.”

The events also featured presentations from young people who are heavily involved in social justice initiatives in their local communities, nationally and aboard.

In Melbourne, ACU graduate Sarah Rose, spoke about her time volunteering with the FCJ Sisters in a village in the Philippines, teaching English to children with disabilities.

Sarah said she hoped her involvement in the Social Justice Youth Forum would give high school students a greater understanding of social justice.

“Social Justice to me isn’t about saving the world – it’s about treating all people with dignity and respect and treating people the way you yourselves wish to be treated,” she said. “I hope to be able to guide students towards understanding what social justice means to them, and how they will live it out in their own lives.”

Professor Gabrielle McMullen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at ACU, said the forums gave students the chance to actively participate in a range of lectures and workshops conducted by social justice concern groups such as Caritas, and ACU staff and students.

“We hope that by holding a social justice forum these young students have been inspired with a sense of social responsibility and concern for the dignity of all human beings,” she said.

Now in its seventh year, the Social Justice Youth Forums are a key initiative of the University, aiming to inspire and empower school students to make a difference in their communities.

In the photo on the home page are: Ms Therese Rein with (from left) Mitchell Peereboom, Nudgee College; Olivia Fielding, Carmel College; and, Nicole Cockburn, San Sisto College.