Good Shepherd Social Justice Network


	Who we are... The Good Shepherd Social Justice Network comprises Good Shepherd Sisters, agencies and individuals who share Good Shepherd values, especially the desire for justice in life. The Network is guided by the Sisters' Mission Statement and a commitment to women and Indigenous Australians as the most marginalised and economically disadvantaged group in society. The Network is committed to participation and action for justice and our actions are aimed at influencing change in social structures and community attitudes. Our priorities for 2008 are: Reconciliation Reconciliation is at the heart of our work. We believe that reconciliation between Australia’s indigenous and non-indigenous is central to the renewal of this nation. We believe that until we achieve this we, and our nation, will be diminished. We share the vision of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation of ‘a united Australia, which respects this land of ours, values Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander heritage, and provides justice and equality for all. Our work includes: A short Indigenous acknowledgement to be read at the beginning of all Good Shepherd meetings; (Click here to see the text) A reconciliation statement by Good Shepherd people for display in Good Shepherd workplaces (Click here to see the text) Scholarship for Indigenous women for tertiary study Participation in and support for National Healing Day & Reconciliation Week; Practical support for Indigenous leaders Trafficking of women and children We believe trafficking to be exploitation and violence against women of the most intense and ongoing nature. It is an underground industry and one of international significance. Our work is informed by our International Good Shepherd links and partnerships, including our UN connections, other NGO, religious congregations, and our International Peace Commission. Our work includes: Supporting on the ground initiatives Migration advice to women who have been trafficked Lobbying in Australia and at the UN Supporting repatriation, where appropriate through our Good Shepherd network Visit our website " Trafficking in Persons Clearinghouse " at http://www.goodshepherd.com.au/justice/trafficking.html Refugees and asylum seekers We recognise the rights of all to seek asylum and safe haven. Detention of refugees is unnecessary and demeaning. We are committed to actions that lead to fullness of life for all. Our work includes: Providing opportunities for the Good Shepherd network to support asylum seeker centres – food, telephone cards, money Making appropriate referrals for immigration advice Working with existing networks to campaign with and on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers Economic justice We are committed to challenging unjust structures and working for a more equitable society. Our work includes: Promoting Fair Trade Lobbying for a just distribution of the Timor sea oil wealth Supporting outworkers ‘rights to just wages and conditions’ Promoting the Jubilee campaign and debt forgiveness for heavily indebted poor countries Promoting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals Developing our Networks We are continuing the work of the Good Shepherd Sisters who have assisted those in need in Australia since 1863. The Good Shepherd Sisters belong to an international congregation of women working from a feminine perspective in the Catholic Church. It is from them that Good Shepherd services throughout the world, take a rich spirit and tradition, especially the desire for justice in life. Copyright and Disclaimer information.