Terms Used by J R McKenzie Trust
Equity and social justice
Equity describes when people have the same chance of a high quality of life. This is achieved by making sure that those who experience unfair conditions have access to better tools or supports to overcome them. This helps to bridge the gap with other people who don’t experience the same unfair conditions.
Social justice is similar to equity. In this case, equity is achieved by changing the systems that create these unfair conditions so that they don’t exist anymore. This means that everyone could have equal access to the same tools and supports and still experience the same quality of life, because there are no other barriers in the way.
Self-determining communities
This is about your community making the decisions and taking the action that works for you.
Systems-focused solutions; systemic thinking; systems change
Systems thinking is about getting to the roots of what is not working in your community – and what is – to understand what causes problems and to find solutions.

