About Us
Values
Social Justice Ireland subscribes to the values of both human dignity and the centrality of the community. The person is seen as growing and developing in a context that includes other people and the environment. Justice is understood in terms of right relationships. We understand justice in the Biblical tradition as a harmony that comes from fidelity to right relationships with God, people, institutions and the environment. A just society is one that is structured in such a way as to promote these right relationships so that human rights are respected, human dignity is protected, human development is facilitated and the environment is respected and protected.
Membership
Social Justice Ireland is a membership-based organisation. It is open to individuals (religious and lay) and to groups (organisations and congregations etc.) who support the basic thrust of the values and work that form the core of Social Justice Ireland.
Strategic Objectives
Social Justice Ireland has eight key strategic objectives that guide its activities.
These are:
- To play a leading role in major public policy arenas on issues related to social justice;
- To give special priority to national and international issues related to poverty, inequality, social exclusion, sustainability and the environment;
- To provide accurate social analysis, credible alternatives and effective pathways from the present situation to the future in all areas of public policy in which we engage;
- To be one of the leading advocates of the changes required to build a society characterised by justice;
- To explore and develop a spirituality that is capable of underpinning commitment to, and work in, the area of social justice;
- To be a significant resource in the area of enabling and empowering of people, groups, organisations and communities in all areas of activity in which we are involved;
- To be an effective communicator in the public and other arenas where social justice issues are addressed;
- To be an effective, coherent, credible and respected voice in all that we do.
Core Programmes
To ensure both effectiveness and efficiency in its work and to achieve its eight strategic objectives, Social Justice Ireland will develop three programmes, each with a number of projects. These programmes will address:
- Public Policy
- Empowerment and Spirituality
- Communication
Within these programmes Social Justice Ireland:
- Plays an active part in the national Social Partnership process.
- Produces and publishes an annual Socio-Economic Review and regular Policy Briefings on relevant topics.
- Resources and supports the MA in Social Justice and Public Policy programme in All Hallows College, Dublin City University.
- Leads a Budget project which includes the analysis and critique of Government’s annual Budget.
- Organises an annual social policy conference on a relevant topic with broad participation from across a wide range of sectors.
- Networks with other groups and organisations.
- Maintains a website with relevant up-to-date material on a wide range of social justice topics.
- Facilitates events in support of its strategic objectives.
- Makes submissions to Government and other relevant bodies on policy issues as appropriate.
- Maintains representation on a range of public bodies as appropriate.
Drawing on Members’ Experience
In doing its work Social Justice Ireland draws on the work being done by its members in a wide range of local contexts. It builds on this and ensures that the voice and experience, the knowledge and wisdom of its members are reflected in the various arenas in which decisions are made. In all of this Social Justice Ireland will seek to promote the development of all people and the whole person simultaneously and in solidarity.
Perspective
Social Justice Ireland offers its analysis, critique, vision, alternative ideas and activities as contributions to the public debate on the specific issues addressed. It seeks responses to its positions. It realises that dialogue and conversation with the wider community are crucial aspects of seeking the truth. It is also aware that it must be open to change in response to what emerges in the dialogue.
Social Justice Ireland also recognises the importance of speaking in a language appropriate to the particular audience whether religious, secular, academic, policy maker or general public. We always seek to do this in our engagement with the economic, cultural and social issues of our time.
Funding
Social Justice Ireland is a non-profit organisation and is independent of any party political or commercial affiliation. Our principal source of funding is membership fees and donations.