Social Justice

Students explore social justice at North Sydney

More than 100 local high school students attended the Social Justice Youth Forum last week at ACU's North Sydney Campus.

Launched in 2005, the annual event is held on each campus to provide an opportunity for students to learn about issues of social justice. Students are encouraged to become empowered with a strong sense of social responsibility, concern for the moral and ethical dimensions of life and dignity of all human beings.

Providing the keynote address, Samah Hadid spoke to students about her experience as a social justice and human rights advocate.  In 2010, Samah was selected to be Australia’s Youth Representative at the United Nations. In her speech to the United Nations, Samah profiled the voices of indigenous youth and vulnerable youth in Australia.

Workshops topics included discussion of poverty in Africa, exploration of climate change and the affects on the world’s poor, understanding the Gospel call to justice through Catholic Social Teaching and information about how students can engage in social justice within their community.

To show their support of NAIDOC week, students also created  a Sea of Hands in the campus courtyard. Installed in every major city and many regional locations throughout Australia, the public art installation of plastic hands in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags symbolises support for Native Title and Reconciliation.