Abstract
This article explores the perspective that we live in communion with one another and that social justice and interdependence stem from compassion. One aspect of compassion is the notion of interdependence and being passionately moved by others and for others. Embracing community development and social capital theory engages practitioners with compassion in social action. Social isolation, social exclusion and the fragmentation of community social support networks are hidden challenges to social justice. More sustained attention can be paid to the ways social workers could and should link people to others who will remain in the clients’ lives long after the professionals have moved on. The argument is advanced that it is critical for more action in the rekindling of community and the linking of people to others – compassion reflects the grace of relationships that comes from authentic connection between people. The social justice challenge laid out is to promote social inclusion and interdependence and nurture the common life through engaging with those around our clients and us.
Highlights
Social isolation and the fragmentation of social support networks that provide a sense of community pose a little-recognised threat to social justice
One is the individual worker responding creatively to needs they come across every day related to social isolation, social exclusion and fragmentation of social support networks within communities
There is a difference between people who choose to lead solitary lifestyles and those who are isolated, excluded and adrift from supportive social networks
Summary
Social isolation and the fragmentation of social support networks that provide a sense of community pose a little-recognised threat to social justice. This is because a fundamental part of being human comes from us living in communion with others. Social workers and organisations who claim to have an interest in social justice can and should do more to let compassion flame brightly and use a relational community development perspective to link people with others. Development after all, rests on supporting resourceful people to do what is right for them in their place and space, in communion with others
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