Gather at Our Social Activism Collective
Notre Dame's Social Justice Group is set to host an event later this year, aiming to highlight ways to support students at the university. This event is part of a series of initiatives aimed at addressing local issues affecting Notre Dame students.
The event is being supported by SPARK, a faith-informed social justice group based in the Yorkshire area. This marks the first time SPARK has collaborated with students of this age group, as they typically focus on supporting younger Catholics aged 18-30 in the Yorkshire region. However, SPARK is now considering expanding to support students aged 16-18.
The weekly meetings for the Social Justice Group are held in SF6 on Wednesdays at 1:15pm. During these meetings, members discuss various social justice issues and brainstorm ways to address them. The group's Lay Chaplain, Anne Merry, organized this event to further support the Social Justice Group.
Kathy, a representative from SPARK, visited Notre Dame's Social Justice Group on March 19th and provided information about opportunities open to Notre Dame students. She discussed previous events SPARK has run in Leeds and the impact they have had on the community.
For those interested in faith-informed social justice activism, participating in university programs like the Church, State & Society Program or engaging with regional or national conferences such as the Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) conference could be valuable opportunities. The PJSA conference, occurring October 9-12, 2025, features panels on social movement wisdom, peacebuilding, and decolonial perspectives.
Staying connected through Notre Dame faith-based social justice networks and groups on platforms like Instagram is also recommended. While specific upcoming events supported by SPARK are not detailed in the search results, regular updates and opportunities may be shared through these channels.
For the most up-to-date and specific event information, contacting Notre Dame’s Social Justice Group directly or the SPARK group in Yorkshire would be advisable.
The event hosted by Notre Dame's Social Justice Group, supported by SPARK, aligns with the education-and-self-development sector, as it provides opportunities for students to engage in faith-informed social justice activism and discuss ways to address local issues. Furthermore, SPARK's potential expansion to support students aged 16-18 could also be considered as an opportunity for education-and-self-development, as it offers resources to a broader age group.
