Working for Justice in Australia
Unit 3: Year 10 RE
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
- Critique the value systems in contemporary Australian society, the reality of oppression, and the Christian call to work for justice in the world.
- Investigate contemporary examples of individuals and movements working for justice
- Value your potential to be involved in promoting justice
Important terminology: compassion; justice; injustice; asylum seeker; refugee
There are five areas you need to work through:
- Justice and injustice
- Injustice in the community
- A vision for justice
- Social justice for refugees
- working for justice
The headings mark where each of these begin. It is important that you draw on these resources as a minimum and work closely with your teacher as you work your way from top to bottom.
Justice and Injustice
- Define the terms justice and injustice
- Classify experiences according to broader terminology, e.g. racism, violation of the right to life, sexism
- Explain how injustices can have a negative effect on people
Resources:
- KWL page 234-257
- Luke 6:20-26
- UN Declaration of Human Rights
Injustice in the community
- Examine causes and consequences of various examples of injustice in society
- Find examples of local, national, and international injustice
- Identify causes and consequences of injustice
Resources:
- Census figures to identify inequality in Australia
- Australian Human Rights Commission
A vision for justice
- Apply the principles found on justice in scripture and aspects of Catholic School Teaching to situations present in our society
Resources:
- Pacem in Terris
- Matthew 25:31-46
- KWL p. 242, 249, 254
- Caritas Australia - School Teaching Resources
Social Justice for refugees in Australia
- Investigate the background to injustice for refugees and Boat People in Australia and how various people and/or organisations are dealing with issues
- Research a marginalised group within Australian society. Aspects of this research could include statistics (percentage figures), demographics, impact, causes, solutions. Present your research as an infographic
Resources:
- Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
- Law Council of Australia - Asylum Seeker Policy
- Piktochart
- Smore
- Your own internet research
- KWL, p. 258 Human Rights activity
- Punished Not Protected (2003), Show Mercy - Rights Campaign for Asylum Seakers, Sydney
Working for Justice
- Identify and explain what has and can be done to confront in our society
- Research and explain the work of a given organisation. Examples of organisations include: Australian Catholic Relief; Australian Catholic Ministry; Mercy Foundation; St Vinnies for Youth; UNIYA; Brotherhood of St Laurence
Resources
- Amos 5:14-15
- Vinnies
- Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Caritas
- Catholic Mission
- Oxfam Australia
- Australian Human Rights Commission
- Australian Catholic Social Justice Council
- Chapter 13 of Know, Worship and Love (textbook)