1. A note to teachers:
We hope this PowerPoint is a useful resource for you to introduce Catholic Social Teaching Principles.
We have explained each principle using language appropriate for middle to upper primary school students.
We have included more detailed explanations of the principles in the slide notes.
Additionally, at the end of the presentation we have suggested a follow up Caritas activity that you may like to use.

2. Catholic Social Teaching Principles
for Primary School

3. The Bible teaches us how God wants us to live with other people.
The bible teaches us about how God wants us to live with other people. We have 7 guiding principles that help us to do this as best- they are Catholic Social Teaching principles.
You can explore this more with your students using:
The Primary Catholic Social Teaching Principles PowerPoint presentation
The Catholic Social Teaching Primary Photo matching activity

4. Catholic Social Teaching principles are founded on the messages of the prophets, of Jesus and of our church leaders.

5. These are the main Catholic Social Teaching Principles we work with:
Human Dignity
Common good
Solidarity
Subsidiarity
Participation
Stewardship
Preferential Option for the poor

6. Human Dignity We are all special because God made us.
We have to make sure other people are treated with respect and fairness because God made them too!
Human Dignity - the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.
All people are created in the image of God. People do not lose dignity because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race. This emphasises people over things, being over having.
A mother holds her baby, who has just received the polio vaccine and other immunizations, at the clinic in Hamedia camp near Zalingei, Darfur,

7. Common Good
We should always try to think about what is good for everyone, not just ourselves.
It’s about living together in a community.
Common Good
While the dignity of the human person is affirmed, individuals live in common with others and the rights of individuals must be balanced with the wider common good of all.

8. Solidarity
We all need each other. We are one big human family. It’s about working together.
Solidarity
We are one ‘body’. When one suffers, we all suffer. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work with those who struggle; we are called to work with those who work for justice.
Blessed are the poor in spirit - Mt wrote for Jewish community – not poor – needs to adjust it a little so scripture scholars now suggest he’s saying “Blessed are those of you who make the poor your concern, blessed are you who stand with the poor. Mt is affirming those in his community who, although not materially poor, stand in solidarity with those who are. Poor in spirit is aligning oneself with the poor and fighting for their interests.
Caritas Australia helped people displaced by war in Sudan by working in camps to provide clean water and sanitation, health and nutrition, counselling, education, and getting agriculture going again

9. Subsidiarity
People who make decisions should listen to everyone and give everyone the chance to share their opinions.
Subsidiarity
Recognises that society is based on organisations or communities of people ranging from small groups or families right through to national and international institutions. Subsidiarity affirms the right of individuals and social groups to make their own decisions about what affects them. A higher level community should not interfere in the life of a community at a lower level of social organisation unless it is to support and enable.
Village women meet for Australia-supported Harith Ashia ('Green Hope') integrated natural resource management program. India

10. Participation
Everyone should be able to work and use the talents God gave them.
Participation
Everyone has a right to participate in society, in those institutions necessary for human fulfilment, such as work, education and political participation.
In Chawir, there are two large communal gardens. Around 200 women work here everyday. Chad.
Module 1

11. Stewardship: Care for Creation
We need to take care of the earth because it is for everyone.
Care for Creation
The world’s goods are meant for all. The right to private property is subordinate to the right to common use and the overall common good. There is a social mortgage on private property. We have a responsibility to care for the earth and its goods as stewards/trustees, not as mere consumers and users.
How do we as followers of J live according to his message of love, compassion, justice in a way that restores dignity to all. We need to keep ourselves aware and informed on the issues of society. We need to read more than just the caption or the headline in the papers. Our parishes and schools need to be places that stimulate discussion and be sources of information. We have been given a mandate, more than a mandate, a command, to change the world!
Credit: Caritas Australia
A farmer who has received help with sustainable agriculture techniques. Afghanistan.
Module 1

12. Preferential Option for the Poor
The Bible teaches us to take extra special care of the most vulnerable people in society.
We should try to create a more fair world.
Credit: Catholic Relief Services
Preferential Option for the Poor
Means seeing the world through the eyes of the poor which then leads to action for justice with and on behalf of those who are poor and marginalised. We are called to look as public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor.
Good example of what this means seen at election/budget time - where all the emphasis is on how this/that affects you, your hip pocket. P.O.f.P means voting/deciding according to how it affects the poor!
Makeshift shelters made with sticks, blankets and plastic sheeting are the only means of shade or warmth for many of the Malian refugees who have fled the West African food crisis situation in Niger.

13. An easy guide to Catholic Social Teaching Principles
Human Dignity
Common good
Solidarity
Subsidiarity
Participation
Stewardship
Preferential Option for the poor
Everyone is special.
What is the best for everyone?
We are all one big family.
People should have a say!
We all want to work and contribute to our communities.
We need to care for the earth.
Some people need extra help.

14. - Complete the Catholic Social Teaching photo matching activity
Learn more about Catholic Social Teaching with our suite of resources found here:
Picture credits
Slide 6: Sheahen/Caritas ACT 2013
Slide 8: P. Jeffery
Slide 9: Peter Saunders
Slide 10: Caritas Switzerland
Slide 11: Caritas Australia
Slide 12: Catholic Relief Services
Wording for principles adapted from Anne E.Neuberger (CST for Kids) with permission.
Last updated Dec 2016
It would be appropriate to follow this presentation up with the following task:
Catholic Social Teaching Primary Photo matching activity.