Engaging in advocacy is a way of acting for justice and participating in the transformation of the world, to bring about peace and justice for the entire planet. Jesus referred to this as bringing the ‘reign of God’.

In this year’s World Mission Day Message, Pope Francis speaks to us in the context of the current global pandemic and says

“We are indeed frightened, disoriented and afraid. Pain and death make us experience our human frailty, but at the same time remind us of our deep desire for life and liberation from evil. In this context, the call to mission, the invitation to step out of ourselves for love of God and neighbour presents itself as an opportunity for sharing, service and intercessory prayer. The mission that God entrusts to each one of us leads us from fear and introspection to a renewed realization that we find ourselves precisely when we give ourselves to others”.

This message and the principles of our Catholic Social Teaching call us to not only take care of those in need but to also address the unjust social and economic structures and systems that put people in that situation. There are many ways in which we can use our voices to speak out for justice with, and on behalf of, those in need who for one reason or another aren’t being heard:

• Speak to your family about what you’re learnt.
• Research an issue and make a presentation to the class, year group or school assembly.
• Challenge stereotypes when you hear them in the playground, in class or at home.
• Use Social Media to highlight what’s happening in Australia and overseas. Make sure to focus on the solutions as well as the challenges of poverty, healthcare, education.
• Connect with your local group of the Australian Young Christian Students (AYCS) movement and think about starting or joining this movement.
• Encourage your Social Justice or AYCS group to sign-up to be a member of the End Child Detention Coalition (ECDC), an organisation working to ensure the safety and rights of children from refuge or asylum seeker backgrounds.

This year our advocacy resources provide information and actions that:

• Raise awareness of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and advocate for all children to be safe and not subjected to immigration detention.
• Help you to learn more about the problem of Landmines and Unexploded Ordinances in countries such as Cambodia and advocate for their continued ban and the principles of Nonviolence and Just Peace.
• Provide an understanding of why interfaith dialogue and inculturation are two important aspects of Global Mission and how to encourage your community to respect and value the diversity that other Faith perspectives and cultures bring.
• Encourage respect and love for the whole of creation and understand how you can act to protect our common home for now and future generations.