Social Justice Week

On Thursday, 20 February, the United Nations celebrate the World Day of Social Justice.

We've all heard the phrase, but what is "social justice"?

Social justice is about empowering people to exercise their rights to equality, respect and autonomy.

It's about ensuring people, and communities of people, have the ability to shape their own future. It's about closing the gaps between the "haves" and the "have nots", and ensuring that no one is left behind.

All effective social justice activities - local, state, national or global - involve respect, inclusion, and collaboration. They ensure that the process of change is owned by those affected by the change.

Everyone who sits on a community board is motivated by some sense of social justice.

This week provides a moment to step back and reflect on where our communities are, and how far we've come.

At Our Community it is impossible to reflect on Social Justice without thinking about the late Joan Kirner and the lasting legacy she has left, both on our organisation and the wider world.

Each year, at the Communities in Control Conference, an outstanding member of the Australian community delivers an Oration in Joan's honour.

The Joan Kirner Social Justice Oration is always the most anticipated presentation at the conference.

Paul Bongiorno will deliver the tenth Oration at this year's conference.

We encourage all community directors and their staff to take a deep dive into the past Orations on the Communities in Control website as a reminder of what we, as a sector, are working towards.

Sometimes, it's nice to be reminded why community-driven people do what they do.