Self and the Community: Refugee and Migrant Essay, UNCC100

This reflective essay examines the principles of Catholic Social Thought (CST) such as subsidiarity, human dignity, and the preferential option for the poor, in the context of the challenges faced by migrants and refugees in Australia. The essay discusses how these principles can be applied to address the issues of displacement, human rights, and integration. It analyzes the concepts of self and community in relation to the plight of migrants and refugees, emphasizing the importance of providing support and upholding human dignity. The essay also explores the role of individuals and communities in creating a just society, and suggests measures for future professional practice to benefit migrants and refugees, including streamlined procedures, staff training, and opportunities for skill demonstration. The essay references Ubuntu, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of creating an inclusive society, and concludes by emphasizing the need for compassionate action and policy changes to support vulnerable populations.

Running head: SELF AND THE COMMUNITY
Self and the Community
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1SELF AND THE COMMUNITY
Catholic Social Thought (CST) helps in providing way of thinking that can help a
person in seeing the world in a better perspective. It helps in providing the vision that helps in
the establishment of a just society where the dignity of the people are recognised. The
principles pertaining to the CST can be said to be a rich heritage that can help in bringing
about the improvements in the world. The migrants along with the refugees in Australia have
to face the difficult times as they have to face the possibility of an uncertain future. The
migrants are compelled to move out of the home owing to various kinds of factors like the
murderous regimes, natural disasters along with the unstable government (Cathnews.com.,
2019). This reflective essay throws light on the principles of the CST like the Subsidiarity,
human dignity along with the preferential option for that of the poor. The essay evaluates the
principles and how the principles of CST can help in solving the problem that are faced by
the migrants along with the refugees. The essay talks about concepts of the self and the
community in relation to plight of the migrants and the refugees. The essay talks about the
measures that would be adopted by me in my future professional practice that would work to
the benefit of migrants along with the refugees.
The social teaching of the Church can act as rich treasure of the wisdom and it can be
instrumental in the building of a just society. The CST principle of subsidiarity talks about
the fact that there should be autonomous sphere of the civil freedom that can help in the
functioning of the individuals along with the groups. It talks about the fact that the
individuals along with the intermediate groups should have the appropriate sphere of the
activity which respects the element of the human initiative. On the basis of this principle, it
can be stated that the refugees should have the freedom of the action that can help them in
living their life in a just manner. The CST principle of Preferential Option for Poor talks
about the fact that the plight of those people who are struggling for surviving should be
recognized that can help in the maintenance of the normal order of the society. The

2SELF AND THE COMMUNITY
oppressive systems should be questioned that can help in establishing a just moral order
within the world. The help should be extended to the migrants so that they can assimilate
themselves with the other people in the society. The proper support being extended to the
migrants can help in the restoration of peace in the society (Theconversation.com., 2019).
The CST principle of that of human dignity talks about the fact that the human being is the
clearest reflection of the God and the human dignity can be said to be grounded within the
aspect of the human freedom. It is on the basis of foundation of the faith that affirms the fact
that God can help in creating the life on the earth. The individuals in the society are morally
responsible for offering protection to that of the human dignity. The anguish and the
deplorable condition of the migrants should be paid attention to that can help in the uplifting
their condition in the society (Un.org., 2019). The principle pertaining to the human dignity
can help in safeguarding the honour of the refugees within the framework of the society.
The CST principle of Subsidiarity talks about the fact that individuals along with the
families precede state and state exists so that it can cater to well-being of the individuals
along with their families. The refugees and the migrants should be provided with the
assistance so that they can continue to live in a secure manner. In my view, the principle of
the subsidiarity can help in solving the problem of the refugees as it mandates that the state
should play an important role that can help in promoting the human dignity and offering
protection to that of the human rights (Catholiceducation.org., 2019). It stipulates that the
government should carry on the work at the lowest level that can help in the effective
functioning of the society. The CST principle of preferential option for the poor people states
that the needs of the vulnerable people in the society should be laid stress on that can help in
improving the condition of the society. I think that it is the responsibility of the individuals in
the society to care for the people that can bring about an improvement of the condition of the
people in the society. The extensive support should be extended to the poor and the

3SELF AND THE COMMUNITY
vulnerable people in the society so that they can get the resources that can help them in
leading a normal life. The principle pertaining to human dignity talks about the fact that all
the individuals in the society irrespective of their sex and religion have the claim to that of
membership within the community (Novak, 2017). In my opinion, the displaced people
should be treated in the proper manner and they should be provided with all kinds of the
assistance that can help in relieving the trauma that they are feeling in the life.
There exists a deep inter-relationship in between the concepts of the self and the
community and it is related to the well-being of the society. There exists a close relationship
in between the individual and the society. I think that the interaction taking place in between
the human beings have a broader implication on the overall well-being of society. The society
cannot exist in an independent manner without the presence of the individual. The individual
acts within the framework of the society and the actions of the individuals have a great
influence on the society. In my view, the cries of the weak and the vulnerable people have to
be heard so that they can get a proper position in the society. The migrants leave the
homeland voluntarily so that they can get a better future. They also have to flee the place on
account of various kinds of factors like the natural disasters, religious persecution along with
the wars (Brady, 2017). I think that the integration of the migrants along with the refuges can
be said to be essential for the maintenance of the Christian faith. The rejected strangers
should be identified and provided the right kind of the guidance and the support that can aid
in the process of their assimilation in the society. The migrants in the event of being provided
with provision of the pastoral care along with the resettlement programs can feel emboldened
that can help them in regaining their confidence. It can make them feel dignified that can help
in the creation of a healthy society. Ubuntu refers to an African word which means, “I am
who I am because of who we all are” and it helps in pointing out to the fact that the humanity
is connected (Catholiceducation.org. , 2019). Ubuntu helps in rejoicing in the achievements

4SELF AND THE COMMUNITY
of the other people and it paves the path for the creation of a peaceful society (Thompson,
2015). It talks about the fact that the individuals in the event of feeling content in the society
can give birth to the creation of an inclusive and a beautiful society. In my opinion, the
dignity of the refugees in the event of being protected can make them feel important that can
help in the creation of a just moral order (Matthews, 2019).
There are suitable strategies that can be undertaken in the future professional practice
that can be of benefit for the refugees. I feel that the streamlined procedures pertaining to the
work permits can be created that can work to the benefit of the refugees. The staff of the
human resources should be provided with the right kind of the training that can help them in
dealing in the right manner with the refugees and the migrants. I think that the refugees
should be provided with the opportunities that can help them in demonstrating the skills that
can help them in adjusting themselves to the new people in their life. The refugees should be
provided with the information in relation to the procedures along with the norms of the host
country that can help in ensuring the process of their professional development. They can be
provided with the language training that can make them feel confident that can ensure their
effective performance in the company.
The subsidiarity principle talks about the fact that autonomous sphere in relation to
civil freedom can aid in the process of functioning of individuals. Refugees should be granted
with freedom of action which can help them in leading the life in a normal manner. The
migrants should be provided with the right kind of the help which can enable them to live the
life justly. The support in the event of being provided to the migrants can restore peace within
the framework of the society. Individuals can be said to be morally responsible for protecting
the human dignity in the society. The anguish that is felt by the migrants should be
understood that can contribute to the creation of a healthy society.

5SELF AND THE COMMUNITY
References
Brady, B. V. (2017). Essential Catholic Social Thought 2nd edition. Orbis Books.
Cathnews.com. (2019). CathNews - Key to welcoming migrants is to 'hear their cry'.
Retrieved 18 December 2019, from
https://cathnews.com/cathnews/32387%E2%80%90key%E2%80%90to
%E2%80%90welcoming%E2%80%90migrants%E2%80%90is%E2%80%90to
%E2%80%90hear%E2%80%90theircry
Catholiceducation.org. (2019). Ubuntu: Something our society needs. Retrieved 18 December
2019, from https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/
ubuntu-something-our-society-needs.html
Matthews, P. (2019). Being disabled and disability theology: insights from and for Catholic
social teaching. Journal of Catholic Social Thought, 16(2), 295-317.
Novak, M. (2017). Catholic social thought and liberal institutions: freedom with justice.
Routledge.
Theconversation.com. (2019). A refugee, like me: why the Golden Rule matters in an era of
mass migration. Retrieved 18 December 2019, from https://theconversation.com/a-
refugee-like-me-why-the-golden-rule-matters-in-an-era-of-mass-migration-50957
Thompson, J. M. (2015). Introducing catholic social thought. Orbis Books.
Un.org. (2019). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved 18 December 2019, from
https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/