We all have a role to play in building a sustained culture of social justice and to deliver on the CBCity social justice commitment and principles.

We are inviting local community members, organisations and businesses to sign up to the CBCity Social Justice Charter and pledge their commitment to improving social justice in Canterbury-Bankstown.

Who is the Social Justice Charter for?

Social Justice at its heart, is about everyone getting a fair go and we all have a role to play.

Anyone in Canterbury-Bankstown can sign up to the Charter.

We encourage everyone – our businesses, community service providers, educational institutions, faith-based organisations, community organisations, arts and cultural organisations, environmental and land care groups, advocacy groups, various community interest/social groups, neighbours and individuals – to be a part of building a social justice culture. For example:

• Local businesses, community organisations, education institutions, sole traders and services operating in the area can sign up to the charter by making a pledge to the social justice principles and the actions they will take to positively promote social justice to their sphere of influence. They can also increase the awareness of social justice and embed social justice principles into their communications, service delivery and programs.
• Individuals can use the Charter to better understand social justice and to identify and call out social injustice with empathy and respect.

Why is it important?

Our individual experiences, needs and expectations are unique, complex and deeply personal. They influence how we see and walk through the world, how we participate in our communities and our sense of belonging, connection and value.

Some individuals and groups experience unique barriers that prevent them from fully and equitably participating in the political, economic, cultural and social life of their communities and places. Ensuring the rights of every individual in our community promotes dignity, wellbeing and social cohesion.

Recognising our diversity as our greatest strength will unlock our true potential and value and support our ability to navigate our differences, experiences and views.

Empowering individuals and communities is critical to self-determination, while autonomy and the freedom to be and express ourselves is fundamental to an inclusive, equitable and fair community.

Social Justice Ambassador/Champion commitment

The CBCity Social Justice Charter (the Charter) is a collective commitment by Canterbury-Bankstown Council (CBCity) and the Canterbury-Bankstown community to nurture a culture of inclusion, fairness, equity and empowerment. By us all working together, we can navigate diverse perspectives with understanding, be accountable to each other and support opportunities and actions that result in positive action and foster a strong and demonstrable commitment to social justice now and for future generations.   

The Charter provides a platform as the Canterbury-Bankstown community's invitation to embed positive and inclusive attitudes, behaviours and actions in their day-to-day interactions with neighbours, friends, colleagues, customers and everyone in the broader community. We know there will be complexities that will test and challenge us, however as a community we will have the capacity and resilience to seek to understand our differences and work together with empathy and trust.

Together, Social Justice Champions and Ambassadors will be guided by the following principles:

1. Recognise and respect our fundamental individual and collective Human Rights, including our individual right to self-determination, participation and information, and our collective right to dignity, regardless of our race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or socioeconomic status.
2. Promote Equity to ensure that everyone can access the services and support they need to be understood and to thrive. Also to ensure everyone is treated fairly and has equal access to infrastructure, services and participation.
3. Ensure that everyone in Canterbury-Bankstown is provided with Access and Inclusion and feels welcome to access, participate and contribute fully to community life, and can access help and support when they need it. Ensure inclusion by providing opportunities for differing voices and experiences to be valued and shape our community, services, infrastructure and programs.
4. Ensure that everyone feels that they have capacity and the confidence to be part of the decisions that affect us personally, as well as our community. Provide opportunities for Empowerment through education, keeping our community informed and aware. A resilient community is empowered to represent diverse views and experiences, participate in decision making, advocate for individual and collective needs and contribute to Canterbury-Bankstown being a socially just community.

CBCity Social Justice Ambassadors and Champions can demonstrate this in a number of ways including:

• Listen and lead with empathy 
  Make space for diverse voices and experiences when making decisions – especially those who are often unheard.
• Speak up against discrimination 
  Challenge unfair treatment and support equal opportunities for everyone, no matter their background.
• Use what you know locally 
  Advocate for fairness in your community by using your local knowledge, relationships and awareness of issues.
• Get involved 
  Volunteer, join community events or participate in local decision-making to help shape a more inclusive city.
• Build connections 
  Collaborate with neighbours, businesses and groups to share skills and resources that benefit everyone.
• Make inclusion a daily habit 
  Welcome people from all walks of life in your workplace, neighbourhood or social circles - small gestures matter.
• Call out injustice 
  Don’t stay silent when you see unfairness. Lead by example and promote a culture of respect and equity.
• Work together with Council and community 
  Support projects that improve access to services, facilities and opportunities for all.
• Encourage and support others 
  Help friends, colleagues and neighbours stay committed to social justice goals - lift each other up.

To bring the Charter to life, we will establish a working group that will help drive our Social Justice Implementation Plan.

Expressions of interest to join the working group will open soon.