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The Yarra Institute for R eligion and Social Policy explores contemporary social issues from an ethical point of view, while drawing on the deep scholarly resources in church groups and the community more broadly.
Established on the initiative of Social Policy Connections, the Yarra Institute brings a new research capability about the role of the churches in shaping social policy in Australia.
Members of various church groups, but particularly from the Anglican,
Catholic and Uniting Churches, were involved in the founding of
the Yarra Institute.
The Institute Board members are well known scholars and include Rev Dr Stephen Ames (chair), Dr Wes Campbell, Drs Therese and Jim D'Orsa, Dr Rowan Ireland, Dr Peter Price, Dr Robyn Reynolds OLSH and Dr Paul Rule. Dr Bruce Duncan CSsR has been appointed Director.
The Yarra Institute is sited in the graduate Study Centre at
the Yarra Theological Union in Box Hill, one of the Recognised Teaching
Institutions within the Melbourne College of Divinity.
Since the Memorandum of Understanding between Yarra Theological Union
and the Yarra Institute for Religion and Social Policy was signed on 26
November 2008, the Institute has promoted various public forums and
undertaken a number of research projects.
The Yarra Institute also shares responsibility for promoting and running social justice courses within the Melbourne College of Divinity, and specifically with the units offered at Yarra Theological Union. The YTU social justice offerings are listed at www.ytu.edu.au.
Though the Yarra Institute springs from the Christian miliieu of the Melbourne College of Divinity, it seeks to explore and promote relationships with other religious groups, including with the great non-Christian religions, especially from the aspect of social ethics and improving peaceful living conditions throughout the world.
As the MCD is part of the national university system
and has Donor Gift Recipient (DGR) status, the Yarra Institute is eligible
for tax deductibility.
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