CAUT | ACPPU
Canadian Association of University Teachers
CAUT Policies
Policy Statement on Social Justice
Social justice is a dynamic goal of democratic societies that includes respect for the democratic rights and civil liberties of every individual, as well as the inherent right of every person, without discrimination, to equitable access to food, shelter, meaningful work, health care, education, and public services.
Education is inextricably linked with social justice. All education grows out of respect for the common good of society, that is, out of recognition that individuals and groups have an obligation to pursue, not only their own interests, but the good of all. Education's most basic purpose is to enhance life and the dignity of the human person an objective that is difficult to achieve in the absence of fundamental human rights.
A climate of repression, violence, poverty or denial of social justice undermines the ability of university and college academic staff to fulfill effectively their public obligation to search for, and disseminate, knowledge and truth.
Top of page