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| Image credit: mohamed mahmoud hassan / Public Domain Pictures |
1. Opening prayer or reflection
2. Minutes of last meeting
3. Review of happenings
What happened this week? It may be something that happened at work, or in the family. It may be a conversation or an article you read. Share about something that made you angry or happy or confused or depressed – something that really affected you.
• What caused this to happen?
• How did it affect the people involved?
• What are the good and bad things about this happening?
• What was your reaction/action?
• Was that a good reaction? A responsible reaction?
4. The enquiry – Unemployment
Millions of workers throughout the world suffer from unemployment but it is young workers who suffer the most. The unemployed are workers but workers with a special problem.
SEE
1. How many unemployed do we know personally?
2. What are the effects of unemployment on individuals?
3. How do young unemployed people we know manage – financially? socially?
4. What is being done to help the unemployed? Does the government grant support? Is it sufficient to support human life?
5. There are also many hidden unemployed, people doing part–time and casual work. What are their problems?
JUDGE
1. The United Nations and the Catholic Church teach that all have the right to work. What do you think about this? If all have the right to work, who has the duty to organise this? Government? Employers? Workers?
2. What are the main causes of unemployment in our area?
3. What do you think will be the future of work? What do you think it will be like for your children or grandchildren?
ACT
1. Where do young unemployed gather in our district. Could we organise to meet and talk with them?
2. Could we make friends with and support one young unemployed person in his/her efforts to find employment?
3. How can we learn more about the attitudes and planning of the government, the union, the welfare agencies?
4. Planning that will affect employment should be a special concern of young people. How can YCW organise to form a watch–guard and a voice for youth when e.g. privatisation or cuts in government employment spending occur?
Action Ideas
In Australia unemployed young workers must regularly visit a government office – to report on their efforts to find work. This is so they will continue to be eligible to get unemployment benefits. The YCW set up a stall outside this office. They offered free coffee to the unemployed young workers and set up a method to meet and talk with them. (AUSTRALIA.)
5. General business
Read and prepare next week’s enquiry topic.
Who will lead next week’s meeting – and who will be secretary?
During the week try talking about the next discussion topic with other friends, at work or social occasions, to get their opinions.
6. Closing prayer and social