Justice Programs

In accordance with the mission of the University of San Francisco, University Ministry's Social Justice Program invites students to step outside of their familiar university lives, walk with people at the margins of society, and in doing so, open their minds and hearts to personal transformation.

ONGOING JUSTICE PROGRAMS

Campaign to End the Death Penalty in California

In January 2012, University Ministry began collaborating with SAFE California, a San Francisco based organization, to collect signatures on behalf of a proposed initiative for the November election that would replace the death penalty in California with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Petitions may be signed through mid-February, after which point of the campaign will direct its focus towards education and advocacy on this issue.

In February 2012, a screening of the film Dead Man Walking, a speaker event featuring a long time death-row legal advocate and family member of murder victims, and a candlelight vigil were held to raise awareness of and involvement in this cause. To get involved with this campaign, contact Ryan Murphy or Bobby Johnsen.

Dream Act Advocacy Campaign

Throughout the fall semester, students engaged in justice advocacy through University Ministry on behalf of the proposed Federal DREAM Act, which aims to allow qualifying undocumented immigrant youth who earn a college degree or serve in the military to be placed on a path toward legal status in the United States.

In September-October 2011, a three-day series of events was used to promote awareness, reflection, and civil engagement around the Dream Act. The series included a documentary film screening, an interfaith candlelight vigil featuring personal testimony from "DREAMers", and a day of advocacy to deliver petitions in support of the DREAM Act to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's office in downtown San Francisco.

In November 2011, University Ministry sent a delegation of students and staff to represent the University of San Francisco at the 14th Annual Ignatian Family Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. As part of the three-day teach-in, which was attended by delegations from each of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. and included speakers from around the world on various topics of justice and political action, our delegation met with representatives from Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Dianne Feinstein to lobby for the passage of the DREAM Act.
This advocacy campaign will continue in Spring 2012; to get involved, contact Sara Prendergast or Ryan Murphy.

The Social Justice Lunch Series

Working on the front lines with Catholic Relief Services

Andrew Schaefer, Emergency Coordinator for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Emergency Response Team based in Nairobi, Kenya, talks about the work of CRS in the Dadaab Refugee Camps, near the Kenya- Somali border and in Afghanistan. WHEN: Thursday, September 29, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM WHERE: LM 142

Jesuit Volunteer Corp Panel

A panel of Former Jesuit Volunteers share the impact of a year of volunteer service, and discuss the on-going challenge of working for justice. WHEN: Thursday, October 06, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM WHERE: LM 352

Immersion as a Mission

Students share their experiences and reflect upon the importance and relevance of immersions in articulating the USF mission. WHEN: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM WHERE: MCLAREN 252

Teach-ins

Teach-ins bring people together in order to think, reflect, and advocate on behalf of the poor and marginalized. The topics that we have addressed in past Teach-Ins have been about Haiti, immigration, environment, torture, and modern day slavery.
In November 2011, University Ministry sent a delegation of students and staff to represent the University of San Francisco at the 14th Annual Ignatian Family Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. The three-day teach-in, was attended by delegations from each of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. and included speakers from around the world on various topics of justice and political action.

Outreach and Support

University Ministry provides resources, information, and practical support to USF faculty and staff within the context of immersion experiences, reflection, and action from the Catholic Jesuit perspective. Pre and post- immersion reflections, classroom presentations, and community building when the students return, are some of the key activities that we offer. University Ministry has been providing support to faculty and staff in the student trips to Cambodia (2007, 2010), India (2004), Mozambique (2006), Peru (2003), South Africa (2002, 2006), Thailand (2008), Vietnam (2005), Uganda (2009).

PAST JUSTICE PROGRAMS

Stand 4 2010

Stand 4 2010
Sr. Carol Keehan, DC, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States was invited to speak on the Catholic tradition that views health care as a basic human right. Sr. Keehan has held administrative and governance positions at hospitals sponsored by the Daughters of Charity for more than 35 years and has devoted her life to ensure that the poor receive adequate access to health care. Indeed, in her letter sent to Congress representing 59,000 Catholic nuns and more than 50 heads of religious congregations and organizations she remarks, “health care reform is a faith mandate for life and dignity of all of our people.”
The Stand 4 program took place on November 23rd in St. Ignatius Church with a prayer and recognition service acknowledging the work of Sr. Keehan as well as other individuals and organizations dedicated to the promotion of wellness for all people.

Stand 4 2009

STAND 4 2009

On the morning of November 16, 1989, armed men burst into the Jesuit residence at
the University of Central America in San Salvador, and shot six Jesuit priests along
with their cook and her daughter. These men were targeted because of their work to promote social justice and to empower the most vulnerable members of society. 70,000
Salvadorians died during this civil war and hundreds of thousands were displaced by
the fighting.
On November 16, 2009, University Ministry hosted the Stand 4 Conference on the
USF campus to honor the memories of these extraordinary individuals. Among USF faculty, staff, and students, many community members, local schools, and activists
participated in the day’s events. Fr. Kevin Burke, S.J., discussed the prosecution of the soldiers who were on trial for the murders. Three workshops followed Fr. Burke’s
talk, focusing on lobbying and advocacy, litigation, and civil rights for immigrants.
Afterward students, faculty and community members were provided the opportunity
to engage in dialogue about the November 16th events in El Salvador, as well as a
range of human rights issues.

The Justice Lecture Series 1998-2009

The Justice Lecture Series was held annually for eleven years. University Ministry invited speakers to campus to address issues surrounding peace, justice, and human dignity in a Catholic context. Speakers included Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Authors, and Health Care Providers.

1997/1998: Sr Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking

1998/1999: Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1997

1999/2000: Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1976

2000/2001: Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1992

2001/2002: Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1980

2002/2003: Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1987, Former President of Costa Rica

2004/2004: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1989

2004/2005: Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2003

2005/2006: Dr. Paul Farmer, Founder of Partners in Health

2007/2008: Greg Mortenson, Author, Three Cups of Tea

2009 marked the 11th year of the University Ministry Justice Lecture Series. At the September 30th Mass of the Holy Spirit, former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik received an honorary doctorate for his work in peace and human rights. Following mass, Bondevik presented his lecture on “A Global Perspective on Human Rights.” He stressed the importance of facilitating dialogue across religious, political and cultural divides and transcending those boundaries in order to achieve higher human rights goals.
Prime Minister Bondevik is a Norwegian Lutheran minister and politician. He served
as Prime Minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000, and from 2001 to 2005, making him
Norway’s longest serving non-Socialist Prime Minister since World War II. Currently, he
is President (and founder) of the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights.