CUSJ Priorities

The Interconnection of Social Issues

We have identified five areas of focus for our social justice work: Indigenous peoples; environment; economic justice; democracy and human rights; and peace. In reality, these issues and their remedies are inextricably linked, reflecting our seventh principle, “the interedependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”   The problems in each of these priorities are not isolated, but cause issues and concerns in all the others.  CUSJ looks to systemic approaches to addressing these issues, guided by the core principles of Canadian Unitarians.

Indigenous Peoples 

The legacy of colonialism affects every aspect of the lives of Indigenous people in Canada. Indigenous peoples have a long history of resisting colonization. Struggles include self-determination over land, culture and resources, and the environment, residential schools, missing and murdered women, police violence, and conditions on reserves. We choose to stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in their long-fought struggles for justice.   Read More . . . . 

Environment 

Our failure to value and protect the natural world and our powerful technology has put humanity and the planet at risk.  We face escalating ecological crises – global warming, rising sea levels, fires, floods, droughts, storms, caused by human activity.  It is a climate emergency.  We must transition from fossil fuels and a consumer – focused society to a way of life that supports well-being without destroying the ability of the planet to support life.    Read more …..

Economic Justice

After 40 years of neoliberalism, we are seeing an escalating gap between the rich and the poor.  Stagnant wages and precarious work without benefits are putting more and more people at risk of hunger and homelessness.  Mental health issues and the opioid crisis are escalating.  High levels of inequality create more instability.  A transition to a new, renewable energy economy must include justice, jobs, training, and fair wages for workers.  Economic justice is about putting the needs of people and the planet above the needs and desires of the wealthy.   Read More . . . 

Democracy and Human Rights 

Democracy is fundamentally about citizens controlling the decisions that collectively affect them. Power is not shared equitably anywhere in the world. As economic inequality increases it inevitably leads to social and political inequality and justice systems biased for the rich and against marginalized people.  We work to create more equality of voice in Canada and around the world.  Read More . . .

Peace

The quest for peace in the world is central to CUSJ’s mission and the UU sixth principle of “the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.” Unfortunately, this goal is as distant as ever in today’s rapidly-changing world., The situation is made worse by the many social, economic, and environmental problems facing us. . We work with like-minded organizations as partners towards the interconnected issues of disarmament, de-escalation, detribalization, and mutual understanding towards building a lasting peace amongst peoples.  Read More:

 

The CUSJ Board updated its priorities after the Strategic Planning Retreat led by Margaret Wanlin on October 14, 2020.  Authors include Leslie Kemp, Frances Deverell, Margaret Rao, Gail Rappolt, Sally Palmer Woods, Bill Woolverton, Jim Sannes, and Andy Blair.