Changes and Partnership

With the passing of 1995 and important changes at Uniya, it is time to express thanks for what has been achieved and chart a course for the coming years.

Fr Peter Hosking's contribution as Director over the last three years enabled Uniya to stabilise and to develop its reputation as a significant player in policy debates about social and economic issues. In the past two years Uniya's efforts were coordinated and reinforced by Paul Smyth's expertise and energy. Peter and Paul will both be missed, but their contribution is a platform from which the Jesuit Social Justice Centre can develop further.

Fr Daven Day, our new Director, brings a wealth of experience, including years facilitating international projects for the Jesuit Provincials of the East Asian region. Fr Frank Brennan's return in May will strengthen our involvements, not least in Aboriginal issues and in shaping amendments to the Australian Constitution. We have welcomed Avalon Wright to the administration team, and said a reluctant farewell to Helen Williams. Helen served Uniya with dedication and competence for almost two years, and we wish her all the best for the future. Meanwhile, Kerry Murphy is working hard on refugee issues, and the Asylum Seekers Centre is busier than ever. In response to a high demand for its services provided the Centre has extended operations to five days per week. As a Social Justice Institute of the Jesuits, Uniya does not act alone, but aims to develop partnerships with a range of community organisations within the church network and beyond.

Peter Norden SJ

One partnership destined to grow stronger in the coming years is that with Jesuit Social Services, a newly formed organisation based in Melbourne. With more than 70 employed staff working in community services programs to assist children, youth, families and local inner city neighbourhoods, Jesuit Social Services will look to Uniya for assistance and support, particularly in social policy and research areas.

Gone are the days when government organisations or community groups could act in isolation. Collaboration and partnerships are required if goals are to be achieved and gains maintained.

Uniya and Jesuit Social Services hope to strengthen their cooperation and partnerships with groups in the wider community. This emphasis is in tune with directives from the 1995 Jesuit General Congregation:

Jesuits are both 'men for others' and men with others. This essential characteristic of our way of proceeding calls for an attitude and readiness to cooperate, to listen and to learn from others, to share our spiritual and apostolic inheritance..

The General Congregation also called on Jesuits throughout the world to work in solidarity with women. The General Congregation acknowledges that discrimination occurred in the past and still continues:

We invite all Jesuits ... to align themselves in solidarity with women. The practical ways of doing this will vary from place to place and from culture to culture, but many examples come readily to mind: support for liberation movements for women which oppose their exploitation and encourage their entry into political and social life; genuine involvement of women in Jesuit ministries and institutions...

Uniya and Jesuit Social Services need to address these challenges, as do all Jesuit ministries throughout Australia. We Jesuits need advice and direction from our co-workers, male and female, to assist us in the ministries we share. Otherwise our efforts will be limited and the interests of those we try to assist will not be well served.

It is important to be grateful for past achievements, especially those that grew out of cooperation and partnerships. We Jesuits now realise how greatly we need the collaboration of our sisters and brothers, if we are to be active in the service of faith and the promotion of justice.

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