Social Justice

Social Justice has begun to make a lot more noise in the law school. In 2023, SULS will take the portfolio even further by providing students with more opportunities to gain real-world experience. We will provide even more opportunities for students to apply their legal skills and knowledge to solve social issues. We will improve our existing programs to create more meaningful outcomes for the community. We will disseminate more information ever on non-corporate career pathways, and expand opportunities to meet people working in the social justice and public interest space.

If you are passionate about social justice, you can volunteer for one of our community initiatives, contribute to our publications, participate in our competitions or simply attend any of our events. You'll meet like-minded people, learn about social issues and gain valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills. If you want to get involved in the organisational side of the portfolio, you can join the Social Justice Committee.

Social Justice Programs

A. Social Justice and Public Interest Mentoring Scheme

The Social Justice and Public Interest Careers Mentoring Program aims is to pair students with a mentor who can provide valuable advice and guidance about gaining experience in areas of social justice or public interest law. Professional mentors have so far come from a broad range of social justice legal organisations including Legal Aid, the Public Defenders, the Crown Solicitor's Office, Aboriginal Legal Service, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, the Bar and many other community legal centres and policy agencies.

B. Social Justice Conference

The Social Justice Conference brings students together for a day of panel discussion and workshops on a range of social justice issues. The conference usually takes place as a half-day event in Semester 2 and is a great opportunity for students to get involved in relevant debates about policy and law reform, as well as develop skills and learn about opportunities to get involved with social justice organisations.

Previous conferences have focused on issues of racial discrimination, child rights, funding in the community legal centre, advocacy and communications skills, and youth engagement with the political system.

C. Refugee Language Tutoring Program

Since 2014, the Refugee Language Tutoring Program is one of our most engaging and meaningful volunteer-driven initiatives. Two Co-Chairs manage between 20 and 30 volunteers on the program, who work with refugees on their language skills according to their English proficiency. The program works in conjunction with the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney. Volunteers are required to attend compulsory training and sessions are once a week on Monday evenings from 5-7pm. Students from non-law backgrounds are also welcome to apply. The program runs throughout the year.

D. Juvenile Justice Mentoring Scheme

The Juvenile Justice Mentoring Scheme began as an initiative in 2011 out of the work of the Sydney University Law Society’s Indigenous Social Justice Subcommittee. SULS began by sending volunteers one day a week to Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre in Lidcombe to run recreational activities with the all-female residents at the centre. In 2016, the Juniperina facility was transferred to the Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre in Airds. Currently the Scheme runs at Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre. Mentors attend on a weekly or fortnightly basis and can design and implement programs developed around a selected overarching theme.

For more information, please click here.

Social Justice Committee

The Social Justice and Equity portfolios have a joint committee of students who assist with the co-ordination of all programs throughout the year. Students on the committee have the opportunity to take responsibility of a particular event or program, in conjunction with the Vice-President (Social Justice) and/or Equity Officer.

Our portfolios would not be successful without the commitment and hard work of all committee members. It is a meaningful way for students to get involved in SULS, have access to great volunteering opportunities and gain useful skills in event coordination and project management. Keep an eye out in the first week of Semester 1 for information on how to join.

Any enquiries about the committee, or the Social Justice and Equity portfolios generally, can be sent to socialjustice@suls.org.au or equity@suls.org.au.

Contact

For any questions about the Social Justice portfolio, please contact the Vice-President (Social Justice) at socialjustice@suls.org.au.