Seeds of Justice Conference 2024 – Empowering Students
Seeds of Justice (SOJ) is a social justice leadership initiative supported by Mercy Education, which provides students with a powerful platform to learn, engage, and act on important social issues, including human rights, environmental sustainability, and modern-day slavery. Through a variety of experiences, students raise awareness, fundraise when necessary, and collaborate with community leaders, expanding their understanding of justice issues beyond the classroom.
This week, Year 10 students attended the annual Seeds of Justice Conference, this year held at Mercedes College. The 10 Santa Maria students joined peers from several Catholic schools, all united under the theme, “Breaking Chains: Empowered to Respond to Modern-Day Slavery.” This impactful event allowed students to explore the complexities of modern slavery and encouraged them to consider their roles as advocates for change.
Raising Awareness: Conference Highlights
The conference began with a powerful opening prayer, setting a reflective tone that encouraged participants to consider how their faith aligns with social justice. Throughout the day, students engaged in activities designed to deepen their understanding of human trafficking.
The conference keynote speaker was Darren Reynolds of Every Daughter Matters. Darren’s deeply personal journey into anti-trafficking began when he met a young Cambodian girl who had been rescued from exploitation. His commitment to advocacy, inspired by his own daughter, illustrated the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent human trafficking.
Each school proudly presented its initiatives, highlighting the impactful ways they’ve raised awareness within their communities. At Santa Maria, our efforts included hosting Blue Ribbon Day and Blue Dress Day, engaging students and staff in meaningful conversations about social justice, human trafficking and slavery.
Students participated in discussions, a convent tour to explore the Mercy charism, and a reflective closing liturgy titled “Where to from Here.” This final gathering encouraged students to think critically about the next steps in their commitment to social justice.
Looking to the future, our SOJ students are working on plans to open a second-hand clothing store on campus to promote sustainable fashion and offering ethical treats on Santa4Santa Day.
Continuing the Journey of Advocacy
The SOJ Conference has left a lasting impact, empowering our students to take a proactive stance on modern slavery. These students are creating a legacy of advocacy and compassion within our school.
This conference serves as a powerful reminder that even young voices can bring about significant change, embodying the College’s commitment to compassion, service, and justice. The seeds of justice have indeed been sown – now it is time for them to grow into lasting, positive change.
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Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
