Author: Kerri

“Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”

World Day of Social Justice is held on 20 February every year to focus on the progress of social justice throughout the world and to press for improvements and solutions.

This year’s theme is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”.  So, the 2023 World Day of Social Justice provides an opportunity to foster dialogue on actions needed to strengthen the social contracts that are meant to protect the rights of workers.

Poverty and inequalities within and among countries are on the rise in many parts of the world. The economic and social crises of recent years have been exacerbated by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters due to accelerating climate change, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts.

Beyond the human tragedies associated with them and their impact on the world of work, these crises have highlighted the interlinkages and dependencies of economies and societies around the world.

Social justice makes societies and economies function better and reduces poverty, inequalities and social tensions.

As a community legal centre, Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC), assists some of the most disadvantaged people in our community and our workers know all too well how social injustice and inequalities affect the people of the Illawarra.

Over the last 3 years, we have seen the impact of COVID-19, bushfires and flooding on our community. The needs of those we help have become that much greater.

People who were already living with disadvantages, including unemployment or underemployment, high levels of existing debt, homelessness, or difficulties with access to health and social services were further marginalised.

We know that during times like these serious legal issues can escalate quickly.

We need long term systemic change that affords people a sense of security in their lives.

We need to reduce inequality and end poverty. 

ILC strives to advance social justice through the delivery of our free legal services to members of our community.  We assist people to realise their legal rights, with a particular focus on reaching people who are experiencing social and economic disadvantage and live in the Illawarra and surrounding areas.

By acknowledging this important day, we recognise the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, employment, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

To find out more visit: 

United Nations – Social Justice Day

The ILO and the Quest for Social Justice

#IDPwD

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations (UN) recognised day held on 3 December each year to celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability.

The UN theme for IDPwD this year is ‘‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world’.

Around one in six people, or 4.4 million Australians, have disability. Not all disability is the same, and some disabilities are invisible.

By joining the conversation and listening to the stories and lived experiences of people with disability, we can challenge our own perceptions about disability and help make positive changes in the community.

We encourage everyone to get involved and join the celebration! Together, we can all take action to make our community more accessible, challenge stereotypes, remove barriers, and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community.

For more information about IDPwD, including resources, stories, videos and social tiles, visit www.idpwd.com.au or follow @idpwd on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also help spread the word and join the conversation online using #IDPwD!

By acknowledging this important day, we can take action to remove barriers for the millions of Australians with disability and contribute to positive change in our community.

#IDPwD  #IDPwD2022   #IDPwD22  #lookbeyond

Join us in recognising National Student Volunteer Week (NSVW).

Join us in recognising National Student Volunteer Week (NSVW).

The theme this year is Passion. Opportunity. Change. which explores how students can realise their dreams and effect change across the world…and it all starts with the act of giving their time to a cause they believe in.

Volunteering is an activity with immense economic, social and cultural value and Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC) would like to acknowledge the specific impact that student volunteers make through their volunteering with our centre.  Thank you!

We would also like to recognise the significant skills, ideas, enthusiasm, creativity, and time that student volunteers contribute through their volunteering with us.  The dedication of student volunteers is even more extraordinary given the additional pressures of studying.

When student volunteers donate their time with ILC they are not only helping us with our cause, but they are gaining new knowledge, new skills and an opportunity to connect with people who share their passion and interests.

Thank you to every Student Volunteer who donates their time!

For ideas on how you can get volunteer your time, visit our volunteer page.

#NSVW2022

#NationalStudentVolunteerWeek

Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

NAIDOC Week celebrations are being held across Australia from 3-10 July to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in the celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is – Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!– calls for systemic change. Whether it is seeking proper environmental/ cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism—we must do it together.

It must be a genuine commitment by all of us to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! and support and secure institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reforms.

You can support NAIDOC Week and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.  This year you will find Illawarra Legal Centre participating in the following NAIDOC events:

Monday 4/7/22 11am-2pm – Shellharbour City Council NAIDOC Event at Shellharbour Civic Centre

Tuesday 5/7/22 10am-1pm – NAIDOC Family Fun Day at Greene St Warrawong (in front of our office)

Thursday 7/7/22 10am-2pm – CareWays NAIDOC Event at Koonawarra Community Centre

Friday 8/7/22 10am-2.30pm – Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service NAIDOC Event at Dapto Showground

#NAIDOC2022

#NAIDOCWeek

#NAIDOC

National Reconciliation Week – #BeBraveMakeChange

The theme for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) this year is “Be Brave. Make Change.”  and builds on the success of last years – #MoreThanAWord which asked all Australians to take action; not just in NRW but every week of the year.

This year, Reconciliation Australia, is calling for us to continue this good work and is challenging all Australians to Be Brave – and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation, so that we can – Make Change – for the benefit of all Australians.  #BeBraveMakeChange

NRW (27 May to 3 June) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us (individuals, families, communities, organisations and governments) can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Reconciliation is about creating respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.  It is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.

This year’s illustrations, by contemporary Torres Strait Islander Illustrator Tori-Jay Mordey, captures this perfectly.  The illustrations show some of the different faces of Australians working for a just and equal society. They are a visual reminder that reconciliation is everybody’s business.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation.

#BeBraveMakeChange

#NRW2022

To find out more about a just, equitable and reconciled Australia visit:

Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation NSW

26th May is National Sorry Day/ National Day of Healing

On this day in 1997 the “Bringing Them Home” Report was tabled in Parliament.

One of the many recommendations of this report was that the Prime Minister apologise to the Stolen Generations.  Then current Prime Minister John Howard refused to do so.

On 26 May 1998, the first National Sorry Day was held to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were, and continue to be, impacted and a part of the Stolen Generations.

Each year the annual commemorations are intended to raise awareness among politicians, policy makers, and the wider public about the forcible removal policies and their impact on the children who were taken, their families and their communities.

In 2005, the National Sorry Day Committee renamed the day as the National Day of Healing, with the motion tabled in Parliament by Senator Aden Ridgeway. In his words, “the day will focus on the healing needed throughout Australian society if we are to achieve reconciliation”.

On 13 February 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations whose lives had been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.

Today, National Sorry Day/ National Day of Healing is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations survivors and reflect on how all Australians can play a part in the healing for the people and nation.

We extend our respect to the Stolen Generations and acknowledge the strength and resilience of all survivors, their families and their communities.

There is still much work to be done.

#NationalSorryDay

#SorryDay

#NationalDayOfHealing