Social Justice

Social Justice has begun to make a lot more noise in the law school. The Social Justice Portfolio provides students with opportunities for students to apply their legal skills and knowledge to solve social issues. The main aims goals of the portfolio are to disseminate more information 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 also join the Social Justice Committee.

Social Justice Programs

A. Social Justice and Public Interest Mentoring Scheme

The Social Justice Mentoring Program aims 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 Public Interest Careers Fair

The Social Justice Careers Fair brings a range of public interest organisations together to spotlight the various non-corporate career paths within the law. The Fair provides an opportunity for students to learn more about how to get involved and volunteer with social justice organisations. Organisations who have participated in the past include Justice Connect, National Justice Project, NSW Council for Civil Liberties and NSW Law Reform Commission.

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. Volunteers are required to attend a compulsory induction and training session at the beginning of the Semester. Students from non-law backgrounds are also welcome to apply. The program runs through both Semester 1 and 2.

For any inquiries, please contact refugeeLTP@suls.org.au or socialjustice@suls.org.au.

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 is being revised with Associate Professor Garner Clancey to run at Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre.

For any inquiries, please contact youthjusticementoring@suls.org.au or socialjustice@suls.org.au.

E. Community Legal Education Programme

CLEP is a volunteering program which partners with the Glebe Youth Service to support their After Dark program. The initiative provides meals and a safe environment for young people to access youth workers and connect with other young individuals within the community. Volunteers also receive the opportunity to attend schools to deliver legal education content on crucial topics such as police powers.

For any inquiries, please contact legaleducation@suls.org.au or socialjustice@suls.org.au.

To stay updated on what's going on, follow us on Instagram @suls_socialjustice and join our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2624377674372399/.

Social Justice Committee

The Social Justice portfolio is comprised of 6-8 dedicated students who assist with the co-ordination of all programs throughout the year. Students on the committee have the opportunity to take responsibility of various events throughout the year, in conjunction with the Vice-President (Social Justice).

The portfolio 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 portfolio generally, can be sent to socialjustice@suls.org.au.

Contact

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