Social Justice Forum
2 October 2004
THE PASSION FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES
Social Justice Forum 2004 MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia is to deepen the Catholic faith of its members and to go out into our nation to heighten awareness of Jesus Christ. We do this by sharing ourselves – who we are, and what we have – with people in need on a person-toperson basis. We seek to co-operate in shaping a more just and compassionate Australian community, and to share our resources with our twinned countries. Our preferred option in this mission of service is to work with people in development by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny. Meaning of St Vincent de Paul Society logo This logo is the symbol of the St Vincent de Paul Society in many countries. It represents the hand of Christ that blesses the cup, the hand of love that offers the cup, and the hand of suffering that receives the cup.
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Social Justice Forum 2004 CONTENTS
Mission Statement
2
Prayer
4
External Networks
5
Internal Networks
6
Media
7
Network Register
8
Presentation: Migrant & Refugee Committee
9
Forum Attendees
11
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Social Justice Forum 2004 PRAYER In our opening prayers, we pray that we may be open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Do we sometimes pray for help and guidance with specific situations which confront the conference? Should we sometimes stop during the meeting to allow time for a specific prayer in this way? Would a few minutes of quiet reflection help uncover solutions to our more difficult problems? How important is our ‘network’ with the Holy Spirit? Feedback from group z Prayer is essential in Society work. z We must refrain from tendency to rush our prayer, and be mindful of the duration of our prayer. z z z z
Prayer is a potent tool to relieve tension during conference meetings. Prayer is essential before conference visits. Prayer should be used during visitation with appropriate prudence. Conference calling card with "Our Father" and Society history are useful.
z The new Rule will provide for spiritual advisors other than from the religious community. z The web offers useful sites for spiritual readings. Other Comments We should never lose focus on Frederic Ozanam's mission.
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Social Justice Forum 2004 EXTERNAL NETWORKS External networks are the contacts we have in the local community with other organisations which are specially equipped to help people in need, with particular skills or facilities beyond the scope of the usual conference. Examples are Centrelink, local councils, welfare agencies, appliance repairmen, among many others. How important to our work is a well-established range of contacts with these groups? How can we foster closer ties with these groups? Is it better for the conference to have one member who ‘networks’ extensively, or should many different members be involved? How do we handle ‘privacy’ issues? Feedback from group z External networks are part of being a fully functional conference. z External networks are very important to enhance assistance provided to those in need. z External networks develop cooperation and empower conferences and members (hand up). z The conference contact list must be kept up-to-date so it is relevant and timely. z External networks can be fostered by attendance at regular community meetings, personal friendship contacts (informal), and through other adjacent conferences. z External networks of the conference are best developed by several conference members, to spread the load, and build resilience. Ideally, all members should be involved in networking activity. Other Comments Local parishes should be included in the conference networks. Use the web to identify local institutions for assisting in networks. Avoid listing specific individuals.
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Social Justice Forum 2004 INTERNAL NETWORKS Internal networks are the various parts of the St Vincent de Paul Society which are available to conferences to assist them in their work. Some of these are administrative, but many are directly concerned with getting the right kind of assistance where it is needed, when it is needed. How well do we know the extent of assistance available for people in need within the Society? How well do we know how to get at that assistance? Who is in the best position within the conference to hold this information? How well do we know what special assistance is available from other conferences in our region? How do we foster closer links with these conferences? Feedback from group z Internal networking lacks organised form – no schematic guidelines, so always re-inventing the wheel. z A concept map of internal networks is needed. z An internal directory of network services available within the Society is needed. z The conference Social Justice officer is in best position to act as a conduit and facilitator for this information. z Conferences are too isolated from each other, and miss opportunities to achieve better outcomes for those we assist. z There is a need to foster Regional Social Justice officer networks. z Induction of new members should include instruction in internal networks. Comment from the floor [Question: How important is the issue of the Society getting its internal networks clearly defined and understood by members? Answer: (loud) VERY IMPORTANT.] Strong agreement that this matter must be addressed. 6 | St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Inc.
Social Justice Forum 2004 MEDIA Local media, both radio and press, can provide useful support for conference work, particularly if that work involves either a clear injustice in the community, or a community project in which the conference is involved. Do we keep regular contact with the media organisations in our conference area? Do we understand the Society policies with regard to media release material? Do we use the media for promotion of the Society and its work? Feedback from the group z Media used in two ways 1) Promotion, where we have clear guidelines and are reasonably comfortable, AND 2) Advocacy, which we use less, because we don't like the attention, and don't understand the boundaries with this.These should be made clearer. z Conferences should have been issued with media guidelines – what happened? z People still don't understand the protocols for media. z Media such as parish and school bulletins, local notice boards, local papers, and Light FM are all available, and potentially useful. z Use of media to promote Society's work is frequent. z It is important to liaise with specific people (individual journalist). Comments from the floor There is generally not enough awareness of the need for contact with media. Positive action needed to make conferences aware of media guidelines. More alliances in media use with other Christian churches is desirable.
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Social Justice Forum 2004 NETWORK REGISTER This is a set of references which lists in some sort of order the organisations, agencies and services in the local area which may be of use to the conference in finding assistance for someone in need. It can be kept in a variety of ways, but to be useful, must be up-to-date. Several samples are provided at the forum. What are some of the systems which can be used for a register? Where is the register best held? Who keeps it up-to-date? Are local versions of a register available – eg, from the Council? Are personal contact details important in the register?. Feedback from group z Contacts which should be in the register include: Local and state government departments, Local professions – doctors, etc., servicemen and repairers, Parishes, Legal aid and child support, Government agencies, Centrelink, DHS, Justice, Professional welfare groups – social workers etc., Local institutions (clubs, etc), SJC Speaking. z The register should be held at conference with members directory. z The register is best kept up-to-date by an appointed person in the conference (Social Justice Officer). z Local registers are often available through the local council. Many local councils produce lists of all community services available within the council area. z The Commonwealth Government produces a guide to Commonwealth government payments. z DHS issues guide to concessions (Call 1800 658 521 for copy, and to go mailing list.) z Conferences can usefully put together a simplified portable version of the register for each member, to include key local contact list. (Individual names are not as important as correct departments.) Comments from floor Justice Department information info on interventions, etc. can be accessed. 8 | St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Inc.
Social Justice Forum 2004 MIGRANT & REFUGEE COMMITTEE An old slogan used by the Society was 'No work of charity is foreign to the Society’. That principle is regularly practised by the Migrant & Refugee Committee as it networks with a wide range of institutions. Household Formation Support In conjunction with the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) and four metropolitan agencies, the Society in Melbourne provides basic household goods to authorised settlers arriving from overseas refugee camps. In three years 1,989 households, 6,728 persons have received the government-funded package. East Timorese Following acquisition of East Timor by Indonesia, circa 1990, some 1,600 asylum seekers settled in Melbourne – because of their country's links to Portugal permanent residency was denied and reached flashpoint in early 2003 when they were advised that deportation was imminent. In association with the City of Yarra where the big majority reside, the Society supported a fairer treatment of these vulnerable people, some of whom had married Australians or whose children were born in Australia. Appealing against deportation orders they were downgraded to the most repressive of Immigration Visa categories, the Bridging Visa E which denies access to Centrelink, Medicare or paid employment. Appalled by these injustices, our committee approached Red Cross who provided prime information to enable St Vincent de Paul to subsidise house rentals for six households. As some families received permanent residency others replaced them. All told, 17 households have been assisted at a cost of $32K. Sudanese 70% of participants in the Humanitarian Program are from Africa. More than 50% are from The Sudan. Most popular area for resettlement has been Dandenong. Many are Catholic. Currently St Vincent de Paul is negotiating with the Dandenong Deanery to establish employment of a Pastoral worker.
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Social Justice Forum 2004 MIGRANT & REFUGEE COMMITTEE (continued) Assistance has been given to Holy Eucharist Parish, St. Albans South for a No Interest Loan Scheme. Our committee has funded a caseworker due to the extremely large number of Catholic Sudanese parishioners where it is not uncommon for 100+ to be present at Mass. A group comprising Bishop Mark Coleridge, St Vincent de Paul, Catholic Social Services, Mackillop Family Services, Centacare, Catholic Education, Cabrini Hospital and Good Shepherd are examining ways to assist those living in the Footscray and Sunshine areas. Emphasis is directed toward school children forced to attend government schools because of cost of fees, uniforms etc. The Catholic parishes can absorb only so much, eg waiving of school fees. St Vincent de Paul is one of 25 church/community groups identified as Justice for Asylums (JAS). The group is seeking a more humane treatment for persons incarcerated in Detention Centres – of special concern are mothers and their children many of whom witness brutality, attempted suicide. These children suffer from depression and are denied a normal childhood. Because of its concern for these people, in late 2002, John Meahan, Terry McCarthy and three other Vincentians met with the then Minister who upheld government policy. JAS sees this hard-nosed treatment of our brothers and sisters in Christ as contrary to Gospels standards. In recent months that policy has been subjected to a major turn around. Some women and children still remain in detention. With other Catholic and denominational groups the committee advocated for a better treatment of Temporary Protection Visa holders, 90% of whom are recognised as genuine refugees. They are denied family reunion and access to free English language tuition. People are referred to International Office for Migration, Canberra (IOM) where a 40% discount is usually given for air travel costs for sponsored authorised refugees.
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Social Justice Forum 2004 MIGRANT & REFUGEE COMMITTEE (continued) Various legal aid agencies are contacted when we seek pro bono legal representation for Bridging Visa and Temporary Protection Visa holders fighting deportation. Working in with parishes/conferences the committee has assisted: z Noble Park Parish – establish No Interest Loan scheme for Sudanese. z Mitcham conference – loan as part payment for purchase of a motor vehicle to enable a refugee to establish a painting business. z All Saints, Fitzroy – towards air fare costs. z One committee member, a Christian Brother, visits Adult Migrant Education Service (AMES) for the purpose of imparting woodworking skill to Eritrean refugees. The Salvation Army referred a Drouin caravan park resident who is an illegal immigrant on Bridging Visa status and a chronic asthmatic. The committee is meeting his accommodation and medical expenses until his visa is reviewed in November. THE PASSION FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES
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St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Inc. ABN: 28 911 702 061 43 Prospect Street, Box Hill Vic 3128 Locked Bag 4800, Box Hill Vic 3128 Phone: 03 9895 5800 Fax: 03 9895 5850 Email: info@svdp-vic.org.au Web: www.svdp-org.au