Participants at the inaugural Social Mission Conference in 2008 gather to understand more about social issues and what Catholics are called to do. Photo provided by Paul Goh PhotographySINGAPORE – The bi-annual Social Mission Conference organised by Caritas Singapore Community Council (CSCC) will be held on Saturday Aug 21 at St. Joseph’s Institution’s (SJI) Performing Arts Centre.
The theme of the day-long conference, inaugurated in 2008 and into its second year, is “Transforming ourselves and society in charity and justice”.
According to Caritas Singapore, the conference “provides participants with invaluable insights into the Church’s teachings on charity and justice”, challenges the faithful to go beyond the call of charity to help the needy build their lives with dignity, examine the root problems and how justice can be better served.
There will be five in-depth discussion tracks focusing on the poor, migrant workers, family, overseas humanitarian efforts and the marginalised. These discussions aim to provide attendees with deeper insight and knowledge of the needs of these groups.
The keynote speaker will be Dr Lesley-Anne Knight, Secretary General for Caritas Internationalis. Dr Knight will share her vision of an economy with a conscience based on ethics and values, and how her organisation – a Vatican City – based Catholic humanitarian aid confederation of 164 national Catholic charities in 200 countries – is helping to realise that vision.
Dr Knight is the first woman to be appointed Secretary General in Caritas Internationalis, a position she has held since June 2007. She has had a career spanning 25 years working on humanitarian and relief programmes in areas such as Guatemala, Nicaragua, Northern Iraq, Kosovo/Macedonia for organisations such as United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Oxfam, and Caritas England.
Monsignor David Cappo, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, will be another speaker at the conference. His talk will highlight the Church’s teachings on charity and justice, and how the two are inextricably intertwined.
Monsignor Cappo, a qualified social worker, was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia, the country’s second highest honour in 2007. He is Vice-Chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, which advises the government on ways to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged in the society.
The conference cost is $55 per person. Students and groups of five or more pay $40 each.
To register, pick up a registration form at the parish office or download a copy from www.caritas-singapore.org/smc2010
As parking at the conference venue is limited, free shuttle bus services to SJI will be provided from the Catholic Junior College car park for non-label cars, and for other attendees at the bus stop opposite Novena Church from 8.15-8.45am. A reverse direction service will also be available from 4.00-5.00pm after the conference.
For enquiries, contact Henry Tsen at 6337 3711.
By Darren Boon
darrenboon@catholic.org.sg
