Anti Poverty Week 2023 - Photo:canva.com
The United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October calls for universal access to decent work and social protections that uphold the dignity of workers and provide for society's most vulnerable members. In Australia, Anti-Poverty Week (15th-27th October) supports the international initiative and aims to raise understanding about the root causes and harms of poverty in our midst.
Political leaders and policy-makers across the board are key to the advancement of just conditions for all members of society. The peak body for Catholic Leaders of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life in Australia, Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) of whom Columban missionaries are members, collectively seek to animate the Gospel and effect change through their research and advocacy work.
On 9th October, CRA called for a system overhaul to address the connection between spiralling costs of living and dwindling standards and increasing corporate profits. In their submission to the Federal Government's Inquiry into Price Gouging and Unfair Pricing Practices, CRA expressed concern that supply chain disruptions and consumer demand for goods have been used unfairly to raise prices well above production and procurement costs. Meanwhile, says CRA President Fr Peter Jones OSA, “tens of thousands of Australians are experiencing extreme poverty and struggling to afford basic living necessities.” In May this year, CRA also submitted to a Senate Inquiry to address structural issues that contribute to the cost of living crisis particularly impacting Australia’s youth.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Centre, Essendon
