Social Justice and Advocacy
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is concerned not only with alleviating people's immediate needs but also with addressing the unjust structures that cause it.
Last Updated: 12 January 2026
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is concerned not only with alleviating people's immediate needs but also with addressing the unjust structures that cause it. The Society is therefore committed to identifying and speaking out against the root causes of poverty and disadvantage to create a more just and compassionate community (The Rule, Part 1, Chapter 7).
Building on the legacy of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s founder, Frederic Ozanam, we speak out against social injustice. A leading thinker and social activist, Frederic fought for social rights such as the right for a natural wage covering all necessities of life, and for a just distribution of wealth amongst citizens.
Today, we continue to raise our voice, with the people we assist, to challenge the circumstances that stop people from living the full and dignified life they should enjoy. Will you join our network of social justice advocates across the state?
How to get involved
No matter your experience, location or availability, we have meaningful ways for you to get involved in social justice advocacy:
- Subscribe to our bi-monthly Social Justice Newsletter – Our network is a community of people committed to building a more just and compassionate NSW. Together, we take actions like collecting signatures for petitions, visiting our MPs, and hosting community events.
- Join your local social justice network – Local networks are opportunities for our members to connect with others in their area, support the local implementation of campaigns, and to identify, discuss and respond to social justice issues locally. We currently have local social justice networks in Sydney Arch, Broken Bay, Wollongong and Lismore Central Councils. Email us for more information about an existing network, or if you are interested in being part of a new network in your area.
- Take action - Support our current advocacy campaign, attend a social justice event.
Check out our Social Justice Statements to understand the areas we advocate on, including:
- Housing and homelessness
- Cost of Living
- Domestic and Family Violence
Engaging with your local decision-makers
We encourage local conference members to engage with their local Members of Parliament and candidates to help local decision-makers better understand the experiences of the people we assist and encourage them to advocate for real change.
To assist you, please feel free to use the following templates:
Ahead of the 2027 NSW State Election, we encourage members to build relationships with candidates by inviting them to meet your Conference, see the work of the Society NSW locally and hear about the pressures facing people in their electorate today. Check out our 2027 NSW election toolkit.
If you would like any support or more information, please email us at social.justice@vinnies.org.au.