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Support our call to put justice and compassion into action
The poster above shows an image of our tamariki (children), blended into a traditional hei matau - a greenstone pendant. Ahakoa he ite - he pounamu ... although they are small, they are treasures.
To receive a copy of the poster artwork please send an email to info@justiceandcompassion.org.nz
The overall theme adopted by NZCCSS for our ongoing programme of information is Let Us Look After Each Other - Aroha tētahi ki tētahi.
Two media statements were released on the launch day, 28 March 2008:
- NZCCSS: Putting the fate of the poor and vulnerable on the 2008 Election agenda
- Joint Church Leaders Statement: Call for more policies to support social justice and compassion in 2008
Our call to more action is based on the following set of key messages:
We believe a just and compassionate society can be achieved by more action to: - Support families and communities in nurturing and protecting our children as taonga.
- Provide older people with a range of choices for their homes, support and lifestyle.
- Utilise our nation’s prosperity responsibly to eliminate poverty.
- Enable access to good, affordable housing for everyone.
- Support community-based organisations to grow the spirit of aroha tetahi ki tetahi - looking after each other.
A brochure that provides the opening context for the information programme is available as a resource in our Publications Library (search for "Let Us"). The central text of the brochure is:
The
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) seeks to grow
robust communities, neighbourhoods and a society which is able to offer
every member support, dignity, shelter, freedom and opportunities to
grow. A robust society is based on a commitment to collective
responsibility and the common good, and an understanding of how our
humanity is based on our relationships to each other and our
communities.
Every
day of every week, the members of NZCCSS - the Anglican Care Network,
Baptist Churches of New Zealand, Catholic Social Services, Presbyterian
Support Services Inc and the Methodist and Salvation Army churches -
provide essential services through collectively serving and working in
communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
We
do not work in isolation. We are supported by our churches and their
leaders. We recognise our obligations as partners to Te Tiriti O
Waitangi and, through our collective activity, we do our best to put
justice and compassion into action.
Through our ongoing information programme we will continue to release material to invite and inform discussion about these messages
as we build on our mission to work
for a more just and compassionate society.
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 May-June 2008:
Are we looking after our children?
We believe that one of the key areas of action for achieving a just and compassionate society in Aotearoa New Zealand is to do more - as a society - to support families and communities in nurturing and protecting our children as taonga.
In the first of a series of brochures being published by NZCCSS for our member organisations, Church-based audiences and wider public, we briefly refer to indicators of progress in recent years, set against the fact that at least one in five of our children continue to live in poverty.
The intention is that this information be used to prompt discussion, as well as providing suggestions for some practical actions we could all take. |
 A guide to useful resources
NZCCSS is committed to building its reputation:
- as a leading provider of quality information related to the policy areas it is focused on, and
- as an access point for useful resources that extend out to the broader realm of social justice and compassion in action.
In addition our small team of two policy advisors and support staff will be calling on other researchers and agencies to 'pool' relevant sources of information.
Through this building process we hope to create a uniquely useful website. Resources we will be bringing together will include featured articles, book excerpts, media monitoring and video clips.
During 2008 we will also be expanding the amount of information available in our Publications Library. Its potential to be a more valuable, much larger 'one stop' database, has been enhanced by introducing a search tool for searching by key words and by category. Please contact us if you have suggestions for publications or documents you consider should be add to the library.
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 About NZCCSS
The
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) is made up of
representatives from the Anglican Care Network, Baptist Churches of New
Zealand, Catholic Social Services, Presbyterian Support New Zealand and
the Methodist and Salvation Army churches. Our
member organisations provide social services in communities throughout
Aotearoa New Zealand, covering a wide range of needs: children and
family services, services for older people, foodbank and emergency
services, housing, budgeting, disability, addictions, community
development and employment.The services provided by our
members are available to all, regardless of religious belief. Through
its work, such as policy analysis and research, NZCCSS ultimately seeks
to ensure that the voice of poor and vulnerable New Zealanders is heard.For more information about the Council go to About NZCCSS. |
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