Issue
Number 48 - March 2003
SAO
2003
The Social
Action Office has entered a new phase of its life in carrying
out political ministry. On February 6 this year, Marlette Black
pbvm facilitated a planning process with staff and about fifteen
SAO Partners and Congregational Leaders. This was an energising
experience that tapped into the grassroots reality of issues and
provided some clear directions for 2003.
The named strategic priorities for 2003 are:
• Living sustainably – in particular
land clearing and freshwater
• Housing – in particular family
homelessness and CSHA
• Creating a Culture of Peace – this
was identified as an area needing much thought and exploration.
Such issues as the global climate of fear and misuse of power,
developing a culture of peace, and non-violent ways of living,
were identified.
This planning
session also provided an opportunity to clarify the SAO’s
purpose and vision.
Over recent
years the number of people and organisations associated with and
networked to the SAO has increased significantly. A major contributing
factor to this is the SAO’s use of information technology,
especially its website and the fortnightly SAO BYTES. As there
are only two staff members (Annette and Pierre) on the ground
in the office now, the SAO in 2003 wants to create new paths for
actively involving SAO PARTNERS in its ministry.
At the planning
session it was decided to move away from having a group called
the Inter-Congregational Social Action Group (ICSAG), which no
longer truly reflects the membership of the group, to having SAO
PARTNERS which includes members of religious congregations
and anyone else who wants to network and participate in influencing
public policy for the common good in the tradition of biblical
values and Catholic Social Teaching. So you are invited to register
your interest in either continuing to be or becoming a SAO Partner.
The SAO staff needs and welcomes the active participation of all
SAO PARTNERS in order for this important ministry to grow and
develop.
