YARRA INSTITUTE  
The Yarra Institute offers a platform for scholarly writing.

NEW
Practical Ethics,
by Brian Lewis (6 June, 2010).


Does Christian Faith make a difference to morality?
by Brian Lewis (23 April 2010)

Matters of life and death: end of life decisions in Christian tradition
by Brian Lewis,
(22 March 2010)

Cooperation in wrongdoing - Living in a pluralistic world
by Brian Lewis (3 March 2010)

'Wisdom of the heart: the meaning & challenge of morality'
by Brian Lewis (1 Feb. 2010)

Pope Benedict's new encyclical
See Bruce Duncan in Eureka Street and the Age, and Paul Rule in The Melbourne Anglican.

'War of the powerful against the Pope'.
An economist's response to Weigel, by Arthur Gibbs
(3 October 09).

Prof. John Pilgrow, Making sense of faith in an age of science and technology (20 Sept. 09)

More articles


Key Books

Obama: The Audacity of Hope (23/1/09)

More books

 


   About SPC  
Our Mission
Striving for social justice expresses a core element of Christian belief.

Our Values
To help develop social policies more clearly based on justice, compassion and solidarity with the poor and distressed.

Our Goal
SPC offers a forum  to renew vision for a more just Australia.

   SUPPORT US  

  SPC Contact Details 

Become a member
 

Do you feel strongly about improving Australian social policy? Then join SPC. Become a Member

Donation options
Do you have a passion for creating a better world? Consider supporting us financially. Click to Donate

Partnerships

Become a volunteer
 
Make a Bequest

Updated: 29 July 2010


  WELCOME
Social Policy Connections
i
s an independent, ecumenical organisation, motivated and informed by Christian social thinking. Our purpose is to expand awareness of social justice issues in Australia and overseas, and to influence public policy for the benefit of all people, especially the most disadvantaged. SPC is not aligned with any political party. Click here for brochure.

The Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy
As a result of an initiative by members of SPC, the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy has been established as a research body hosted at Yarra Theological Union at Box Hill, Melbourne. Click for launch flyer.More information.




SPC Lecture Series 2010
Politic
s, Religion & Election Issues
Speaker: Professor John Warhurst
Date: Wednesday 4 August, 8pm
Location: Study Centre, Yarra Theological Union via 34 Be
dford Street, Box Hill

John Warhurst will speak about religion and politics in Australian federal election campaigns, with special reference to 2010 and to social issues. This will include church lobbying, relations with parties and governments, and the role of the faith of political leaders.


Kate's photos, flickr CCIssues in federal election
SPC is inviting supporters to contact their political candidates to discuss social policies. CLICK for our letter to our members.
For a summary of our consultations with members, see Policy Suggestions on asylum seekers, climate change, overseas aid and indigenous issues. CLICK. More on climate change CLICK.
For a draft letter to contact your political candidates, CLICK. For some briefing notes, CLICK.



Dr. KaramagaAustralia’s relationship with China: prospects and perils
Social Policy Connections featured Dr Thomas Bartlett and Dr Paul Rule discussing implications of Australia’s close economic ties with China. Please click HERE listen to the discussion.
Click the RSS or itunes icon to subscribe to the SPC podcast
 

Online Forum
SPC is pleased to invite you to participate in our online forum.  Connecting social justice networks and fostering debate on social policy is at the heart of our mission. We hope you will join us in creating a vibrant, respectful forum. Please click HERE to join the discussion



Dr. Karamaga New Hope for Africa

Revd Dr Andre Karamaga, General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches talking on the churches as peace-makers Please click HERE listen to Dr. Karamaga's talk
Click the RSS or itunes icon to subscribe to the SPC podcast
 
Subscribe in a reader or in itunes  

The Northern Territory Intervention
"This is What we Said"
Order form to buy the book, now with commendation by Michael Kirby,  Click 
More news - Click
A conversation with Aboriginal Elders about the Intervention and  Consultations. 1) Transcript   2)  PowerPoint slides
New Report to UN challenges NT Intervention
Victorian Council of Churches supports UN Report





 
Reflections on Pope Benedict’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate with Melbourne's Anglican Archbishop, Philip Freier; Julie Edwards, CEO of  Jesuit Social Services; and  Rufus Black, Master of Ormond College. ABC Encounter Radio National 28 March Click Click HERE for full talks  Click the RSS or itunes icon to subscribe to the SPC podcast

Subscribe in a reader or in itunes

Launch of the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy  with Hon Brian Howe Click HERE to listen to Professor Howe's address.  Click HERE to see a video segment. Click the RSS or itunes icon to subscribe to the Yarra Institute podcast
Subscribe in a reader or in itunes
   
space
SPC and the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy
34 Bedford St, Box Hill VIC 3128 
Mail: PO Box 505, Box Hill VIC 3128
Phones SPC: (03) 9890 1077; Mobile: 0432 991 085
Email:admin@socialpolicyconnections.com.au
Yarra Institute: (03) 9899 4777
www.yarrainstitute.org.au
Yarra Institute ABN: 41 920 916 986

   NEWS & VIEWS  
 July 2010
SPC Newsletter
Elections

June 2010 


Policies for elections
New executive officer


May 2010 
Plea for leadership

April 2010 
Ethics in elections

March 2010 
Religion & social values

February 2010 
Election priorities

Earlier newsletters

NEW 
An alternative future for freeway reserves
by Jenny Donovan and Rupert Dance 
(18 May 2010)

Designing the compassionate city
by Jenny Donovan (23 April 2010)

Housing and population
- Click
with Len Puglisi 
(10 April 2010)

FORUM 
Barnaby Joyce: loose cannon scores direct hit by Arthur Gibbs (1 March 2010) CLICK

Click  HERE to discuss this article 

HUMOUR
Colbert Report on Glenn Beck's attack on social justice. 
Click for link.

NEW
DFAT report on Non-Proliferation Conference
by Bill Frilay 
(29 June 2010)

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Review Conference
by Bill Frilay (8 June 2010)

NEW
ICAN report on NPT Review Conference

by Dimity Hawkins (6 May 2010)

Rosemary Goldie and Santamaria by Bruce Duncan (10 March 2010)
Response from Gerard Henderson, and rejoinder by Bruce Duncan

The Global Financial Crisis:
Opportunity for Transformation by Prof. John Langmore Click HERE for podcast. Click HERE for transcript.

POSITION PAPER
On Climate Change
 by Bill Frilay (25/5/09) Click

ICNND Report on Nuclear Non-Proliferation, 
by Bill Frilay  (31 Jan 2010) Click

SUBMISSIONS

Inquiry on Nuclear Weapons and Arms by Bill Frilay and by Wes Campbell click

Previous Articles


Reflections on Iraq War by Prof. Brian Johnstone
Click HERE  for a review of the talk. 

 


   Conferences & Events  
Click for more information about these and other events


The 'Million Pleas' campaign - help create the world's longest video chain letter asking for a world free from nuclear weapons. Launches 6 August, Hiroshima Day.

Special Lecture - Climate Change - Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew     Thursday 12th August, 6.00 – 7.00 PM


Towards nuclear abolition – The non-proliferation treaty review conference 2010    Sunday 15 August, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm