Young Christians from Western Sydney have travelled to the NSW Parliament to voice their concerns about how the changing nature of work, especially through the rapid uptake of artificial intelligence, is disproportionately hurting younger workers.
Leaders from the Parramatta Young Christian Workers met with NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis in May to discuss the impact of AI on job insecurity, especially for entry level workers, and the pressure that young people feel in choosing what to study in a rapidly changing world.
They also took the opportunity to highlight to the minister the rising costs of education and what that was doing to the welfare of students, especially international students, who were struggling to balance study, work and living expenses.
It is one of several projects they have been working on in Western Sydney in recent months. Others have included helping homeless young people and cleaning up local waterways.
Minister Cotsis with the YCW students after the meeting at Parliament House. Image: Supplied
The YCW leaders especially drew the minister’s attention to Pope Leo’s recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, in which he emphasised that AI had to be in the service of humankind. They also highlighted to her the importance of Catholic Social Teaching, which upholds the dignity of workers by ensuring that the economy works for everyone.
One of those who met the minister, Lara Derjani, a Youth Engagement Officer with YCW, said the experience was a “defining moment” for her, because she realised that in speaking up for others she was following Christ’s teachings.
“The Gospel calls each one of us to sow seeds of faith for all, proclaim the Good News and work for the common good,” she said.
“Christ does not call us to remain silent in times of uncertainty, but be instruments of hope and witnesses to His truth.
“Walking into Parliament House, I was conscious that I carried more than my own opinions. I carried my faith, my community and the voices of young people searching for hope amid the existential uncertainty of a rapidly changing world.
“As a young Maronite Catholic and Junior Youth Engagement Officer of YCW, I believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, and deserves to be heard with dignity, love and compassion.”
Some of the letters being written to young homeless people. Image: Supplied
The group said that Minister Cotsis had expressed interest in hosting a future roundtable to continue listening to young people and exploring ideas that better support young workers and students.
They expressed their gratitude to the minister for taking the time to hear the concerns and experiences of young people, and for recognising the value that young people make within their communities.
Letters of love
Another recent YCW project has been a “hope letter writing workshop”, in which members gathered to write letters of love and encouragement to homeless young people.
In total, more than 80 letters were written, which will be added to care packages prepared by YCW volunteers to support young people experiencing homelessness.
By compiling these personal letters, members not only offered tangible assistance but communicated dignity, hope and solidarity to those who might feel marginalised by society.
Members of YCW Parramatta cleaning up the banks of the Parramatta River. Image: Supplied
Stewards of God’s creation
Care for the environment has also been a concern of Parramatta YCW members.
The group spent a morning recently collecting rubbish along the banks of Parramatta River.
Inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, which calls for us to care for our common home, they worked together to protect an important part of the local natural environment, while also contributing to each other’s wellbeing and those of the wider community.
By caring for local public spaces, YCW leaders believe young people are able to live and respond to the call to be stewards of God’s creation.
The work of the Young Christian Workers in Parramatta is an example of the Pastoral Plan priorities of Mission, Formation, Listening, Dialogue and Discernment, and Community. Visit Synodality to learn more.
