Offices and Programs
Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Multiculturalism Resources and ProgramsCommission on Social Witness
The mission of the Commission on Social Witness (CSW) is to engage individuals, congregations, and districts in an ongoing process of study, action and reflection on pressing social issues to deepen our faith, to foster a greater sense of association among Unitarian Universalists, and to proclaim our vision of justice in the world.
Congregational Advocacy and Witness
Congregational Advocacy and Witness (CAW) works to support and enhance the social justice efforts and programs of Unitarian Universalist congregations and to help increase the collective UU (Unitarian Universalist) and interfaith voice in the public policy arena. CAW does this by providing social justice resources to congregations, promoting social justice campaigns, supporting the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) Journey Toward Wholeness and socially responsible investing initiatives, and serving as liaison for social justice affiliates with the UUA and congregations.
Congregation-Based Community Organizing (CBCO)
Congregation Based Community Organizing seeks to establish inter-faith, cross class, multi-ethnic and multi-racial grassroots organizations in order to increase social integration and power in civil society. CBCO groups seek to "develop participants' leadership skills, build a strong web of relationships through congregations and other institutions, and turn those relationships into civic power capable of making changes to promote the public good." (Interfaith Funders, 2001).
Social Justice Empowerment Program
The Social Justice Empowerment Program includes the Social Justice Empowerment Workshop and Handbook for congregations. The Social Justice Empowerment workshop allows members of a congregation to assess the quality of their social justice program and gives congregations an opportunity to consider what is being done as an institution to create a more just and caring world.
Socially Responsible Investing
The UUA's Committee on Socially Responsible Investing was established in June of 2000 by the UUA Board of Trustees in response to the recommendations of the "Task Force on Socially Responsible Investing." Their report (PDF) outlines their recommendations and forms the basis of the Committee's charge from the board.
Congregational Services staff group
Congregational Services supports the health, growth and transformation of congregations and other Unitarian Universalist communities through Congregational Fundraising Services, Growth and Extension Services, Services and Resources for Large Congregations, and Young Adult & Campus Ministry.
Holdeen India Program
The Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) works with organizations of India's most excluded and oppressed peoples: women; dalits, so-called "untouchables" who fall outside the caste system; and the adivasis or tribals who are India's indigenous peoples, especially migrant, bonded and landless agricultural laborers. UUHIP supports their efforts to participate fully in the social, economic and political life of India.
Identity-Based Ministries staff group
Identity-Based Ministries seeks to make Unitarian Universalism a welcoming, inclusive, empowering, and just faith for Unitarian Universalists who identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender; economically oppressed; Latina/Latino and Hispanic; multiracial families; people of color; and people with disabilities.
Office of International Resources
The Office of International Resources seeks to support congregations as they respond to the call of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Sixth Principle: "to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all". The International Office does this by providing resources to congregations, and by maintaining linkages with and between UU organizations involved in international work.
Lifespan Faith Development staff group
Guided by Unitarian Universalist Principles and a commitment to the UUA's goal of becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppression, multicultural organization, the Lifespan Faith Development staff group provides lifespan resources for education, worship, advocacy, and social action that nurture UU identity, spiritual growth, a transforming faith, and vital communities of justice and love.
The Welcoming Congregation program
The Welcoming Congregation Program is a voluntary program for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people. It consists of a series of workshops developed by the UUA. The goal of the workshops is to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations.
Washington Office for Advocacy
The mission of the Washington Office for Advocacy is to influence public policy decisions made by the U.S. Congress and Administration on issues of concern to the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Office also provides support and resources to congregations and individuals seeking to create change in their communities and states.
JUUST Change Congregational Consultants
Drawing on insights and experiences from work with linked oppressions, JUUST Change reaches out to congregations and Unitarian Universalist organizations with tailor-fitted support to meet them where they are in there social justice work, and resources that encompass a broader range of voices and experiences.
For more information contact socialjustice @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
