Anglicare's leading researcher will examine a variety of issues that lead to social exclusion at a CASE conference today.
Anglicare's manager for policy and research, Susan King, is one of a handful of experts speaking at the "Human need and Christian care' conference held at the Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education (CASE).
The one-day conference which is a joint venture of CASE at New College, Anglicare and the Anglican Social Issues Executive, Sydney is exploring the philosophy of Christian care and research into social exclusion and is offering practical solutions to today's human needs.
Mrs King will be sharing research conducted by Anglicare into youth homelessness, social exclusion and food insecurity.
"Anglicare is exploring the concept of social exclusion in an endeavour to achieve a better understanding of the depth and breadth of disadvantage in Australia today," Mrs King says.
According to Mrs King, social exclusion was a concept introduced late last century as people began to question the traditional definition of poverty.
"Critics felt that the definition of poverty " based on measurement of income " fell short of describing the many ways in which people can become marginalised from the mainstream community," Mrs King says.
"Social exclusion is an attempt to go beyond income and examine other issues relating to deprivation such as education, disability, mental health, affordable housing and relational poverty."
Real support for real people
One of the areas Anglicare program managers and volunteers say most affect struggling families is food insecurity.
"Our research shows that people going hungry is not just the result of low income. Other underlying causes are high rents, family circumstance, coping with a disability and poor opportunities for employment because of issues with education and training," Mrs King reveals.
"As a significant provider of community services Anglicare aims to support communities to enhance well being " both physical and spiritual. We also aim to proclaim the gospel truth that we are people made for relationships with God and each other."
Other speakers at today's conference include Social Issues Executive chairman Andrew Cameron who will speak on "Responding to human need as Christians: a fresh approach' and Relationships Forum Australia researcher Paul Shepanski who will speak on work pressures and family life.
The NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability, the Hon Kristina Keneally, MP, will address the conference at 11.15am on the topic of the churches and the government in care delivery.
Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen will give an after dinner address at 7:30pm which costs just $20 to attend.
CASE Director Dr Greg Clarke says the conference will help churches to combine with Anglicare in caring for the poor.
"It won't just be a talkfest. We want to give people solid ideas about how to be actively involved in Christian care," Dr Clarke says.
"We want parishes to join as partners with Anglicare in their work. It's about combining the social care of Anglicare and the gospel work of churches."
Dr Clarke says the conference is also a good partnership of organisations in the diocese.
"It combines the strong academic resources of New College, the strong theological base of the social issues executive and the social work of Anglicare."
