Udayani Social Action Forum
 | |
| Abbreviation | USAF |
|---|---|
| Established | 1998 |
| Location | |
Director | Fr. Irudaya Jothi, SJ[1] |
| Affiliations | Jesuit, Catholic |
| Website | USAF |
Udayani Social Action Forum (USAF) is the social outreach arm of the Calcutta Province of the Society of Jesus. It works with schools, parishes, spiritual centres, international immersion groups, NGOs, and other organizations to foster a faith that does justice.[2] It also serves as a link between the Jesuit social apostolate in India and the priorities of the Jesuit Conference of the South Asian Assistancy.[3]
Activities
USAF employs a rights-based approach to empowerment of the tribal peoples of West Bengal State.[4] It both collaborates with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta[5] and is ecumenical in its cooperation with organizations of all faiths.[6]
The Forum claims that it has "played an important and vital role" in coordinating efforts in defense of the right to food and work, Its director, Fr. Jothi, says that, when he was hesitant about his vocal public advocacy for the basic human needs of the people, the Mother Superior of the Missionaries of Charity came to his defense.[7]
USAF was party to a joint statement by the India-Africa group opposing the policy of the World Trade Organization,[8] and is involved in wage negotiations.[9] It is also an Indian party to the international alliance against the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GAT).[10][11]
Other social justice issues in which USAF has been involved include help for the children of prisoners,[12] defense of women's rights,[13] opposition to human trafficking,[14] support for environmentalism,[15] the government funding seminar,[16] and commentary on national elections.[17]
References
- ↑ Fr. Jothi President of the Kolkata chapter of the Conference of Religious. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Justice. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Calcutta Jesuits. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Croatian World Network news: USAF a “rights-based” approach to empowerment. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Collaboration with Kolkata Archdiocese. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Union of Catholic Asian News: a member of ecumenical interagency relief group. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Daily O report: Mother Teresa group approval. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ India-Africa joint statement criticizing WTO. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Involved in wage negotiations. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ A representative in India for alliance against GAT
- ↑ Trade. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Service to prisoners’ children. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Gandhi Vichar Parisad report on USAF Seminar in support women’s self-help. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Human Rights Law Network consultation on human trafficking. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Environmentalism. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ In government seminar on funding. Accessed 9 May 2016.
- ↑ Asia News: national elections. Accessed 9 May 2016.
Coordinates: 22°31′37.24″N 88°22′7.66″E / 22.5270111°N 88.3687944°E