Welcome to the Social Policy Connections audio podcast.

The following podcast features a lecture delivered by Dr Bruce Duncan C.Ss.R on Faith, values, & social policy. The talk was presented to Social Policy Connections on Wednesday November 31 at the Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union.

According to leading economists, the Global Financial Crisis stems from a crisis in values, undermining sound economics and public policies, with disastrous consequences for many millions of people. Moreover, climate change is bearing down on us as the world struggles to provide decent living stands for people in poorer countries, and global population is expected to grow by another two billion.

In this talk Bruce address the role of values in shaping public policy, and the extra dimension that faith can bring to our sense of meaning and motivation in the struggle to enhance human dignity at this critical time.

Bruce is one of the founders of Social Policy Connections, and is Director of the Yarra Institute for Religion & Social Policy. He has taught social justice studies at Yarra Theological Union at Box Hill since 1986, and has written widely on social issues. His most recent book is titled Social Justice: Fuller life in a fairer world.

If you would like attend one of our events please refer to our website www.social policyconnections.org.au. Please feel free to subscribe to our podcast via itunes or via an RSS feed located on our website’s home page, as we will be publishing podcasts regularly, free of charge.

And now Dr Bruce Duncan…

Those who can work should, and those who cannot should be properly

supported to achieve a full life. How does Australia fare in relation to

this? Philip Mendes from Monash University promotes a better way,

advocating for a participation income which incorporates activities to

enhance wellbeing and connection.

In a lucid talk, Kevin Peoples spoke on his 2012 book about working

as a fund-raiser for the National Catholic Rural Movement and his

disillusionment with Bob Santamaria's use of its people and money.

Strongly committed to the YCW emphasis on personal formation and

independent social responsibility,  Kevin tells of the events that led

up to the breach with Santamaria over his authoritarian control of the

NCRM. The book captures the atmosphere of Catholic and rural life at the

time, with delightful pen-pictures of characters he met along the way.

For Bruce Duncan's address at the  launch of Kevin Peoples Santamaria’s Salesman: Working for the National Catholic Rural Movement 1959-1961 click HERE.

Click HERE to listen to an audio podcast of the event.

Welcome to the Social Policy Connections audio podcast.

The following podcast features a lecture delivered by Gabriela Byrne – founder of the Free Yourself Program, a resource for problem gamblers. The talk was presented to Social Policy Connections on May 1st 2012 at the Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union.

Mrs Byrne has used her study of psychology, nutrition, exercise and meditation to create the Free Yourself Program. A program which has now successfully counselled 100’s of problem gamblers.

Gabriela’s story from being “totally hooked” to “completely free”", has been published and talked about on National TV, Radio, “Women’s Weekly”, “New Idea” and “Good Medicine”.

If you would like attend one of our events please refer to our website

www.socialpolicyconnections.org.au. Please feel free to subscribe to

our podcast via itunes or via our RSS feed.

Talk given at Social Policy Connections’ Annual General Meeting
24 November 2011By Geoff Lacey

In October, Cardinal George Pell gave a lecture in Westminster Cathedral Hall, entitled, One Christian Perspective on Climate Change.

Geoff Lacey addresses the question of how to develop an ethical response to the issue of climate change, in particular examining the science, the politics, the foundations of an ethical position, and what consistutes an adequate response, looking at where Cardinal Pell stands on each of these matters.

CLICK HERE for the complete article.

Welcome to the Social Policy Connections audio podcast.

The following podcast features a lecture delivered by Marc Purcell at Social Policy Connections ‘Australia, Aid, Global Development’ public forum held at the study centre of the Yarra Theological Union on August 17th 2011.

Mark is the current Executive Director of the Australian Council for International Development. The Australian Council for International Development represents 70 Australian not-for-profit aid and development organisations. Marc has been Advocacy Manager with Oxfam Australia 2004-2009, and previously Executive Officer with Melbourne’s Catholic Commission for Justice Development and Peace. He has been Country Program Manager for Africa for Australian Volunteers International covering 13 countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.

And now Marc Purcell …

The following podcast features a lecture delivered Robert Fitzgerald AM at Social Policy Connections ‘Churches & Public Policy Conference, held at the Abbotsford Convent on July 19th 2011.

Robert Fitzgerald is a full-time Commissioner with the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission, where he leads the current inquiry into Caring for Older Australians and the commissioned study examining the workforce of the Early Childhood Development Sector. He is the convenor of the Indigenous Disadvantage Working Group of the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision which produces the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators report.

This short audio podcast of this even was presented byMichaela Guthridge's at SPC's forum on Slavery.

Professor Tilman Ruff – Chair of the Australian Board of ICAN and Rev Harry Kerr – Chair of Pax Christi (Vic), addressed Social Policy Connections on March 29th 2011 on one of the world’s most pressing issues, nuclear disarmament.

Professor Ruff outlined the catastrophic outcome for the planet if even a small amount of nuclear arms were detonated. He also focused on how NGO’s such as Social Policy Connections could contribute in creating a world free of nuclear arms.

The Rev Harry Kerr ‘s address to the forum brought a Christian perspective on this issue of nuclear disarmament.

Please click HERE to Listen to Professor Tilman Ruff’s talk.

The following podcast features a lecture delivered by The Honourable Alastair Nicholson, titled “Human Rights & the NT Intervention”. The talk was presented to Social Policy Connections on Wednesday December 1st at the Study Centre of Yarra Theological Union.

If you would like attend one of our events please refer to our website www.social policyconnections.org.au. Please feel free to subscribe to our podcast via itunes or via an RSS feed located on our website’s home page, as we will be publishing podcasts regularly, free of charge.

Northern Territory Intervention, introduced in 2007, causes great anger, frustration and despondency amongst the majority of Aboriginal people in the NT. The intervention required the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). Alastair Nicholson has been at the forefront of fighting to change the legislation to ensure full restoration of the RDA. In his talk, he provided more details about this issue, and how all concerned with Aboriginal wellbeing might respond.

The Honourable Alastair Nicholson AO, RFD, QC is the Former Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia. He is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne.