Justice at the UUA General Assembly most years is addressed by:

Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAI), Statements of Conscience (SOC) and Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW)

Social Witness Statements Affirmed at General Assembly 2025

The following was taken from UU World Magazine June 24, 2025

This year saw the return of Congregational Study/Action Issues, which invite UU congregations to engage in a multi-year period of study, reflection, and action around a topic voted on at GA. In the third year of the process, GA delegates can vote to approve a Statement of Conscience resulting from two years of congregational feedback on the CSAI. Delegates ultimately voted for “Abolition is Faith Formation,” after also considering “Housing: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” and “Fat Liberation: Building Justice and Inclusion for Larger Bodies.”

Delegates also voted to affirm all three Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) under consideration: “Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism, a Call to Action: Reaffirming Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom” (98.3 percent of votes), “Funding Global LGBTIQ Freedom Amid Crisis: A Call for Immediate Action and Solidarity” (98.3 percent of votes), and “We Declare and Reaffirm: All People Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights” (99.2 percent). AIWs are statements about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU congregations and affiliated groups.

Social Witness Statements Affirmed at General Assembly 2024

These statements were affirmed at General Assembly and are undergoing review by UUA legal counsel. Final text is posted at UUA Statements.

• AIW: Centering Love Amidst the Ongoing Impact of COVID-19
• AIW: Solidarity with Palestinians
• AIW: World on Fire: Humanitarian Work and Climate Change
• 2024 Business Resolution Embracing Transgender, Nonbinary, Intersex and Gender Diverse People is a Fundamental Expression of UU Religious Values
• Responsive Resolution: UUA General Assembly Support for October 7 Hostages

UUA Background Information 

UUA General Assembly Justice Meeeting Required Components

About Congregational Study/Action Issues and Statements of Conscience

Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) are proposed by Unitarian Universalist member congregations for adoption at a General Assembly. CSAI accepted by GA result in four years of study, reflection, and action by member congregations. In the third year of this process, delegates at GA can vote to approve a Statement of Conscience (SOC) resulting from three years of congregational feedback on the CSAI.

About Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW)

Delegates at each annual General Assembly have the opportunity to take positions on issues that require immediate witness through the Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) process. An AIW expresses the conscience and carries the authority of the delegates at the GA at which it is passed. The AIW process allows Unitarian Universalists to respond quickly to social issues deemed urgent. Affirmed AIWs are used by congregations in local efforts and empower the UUA’s Advocacy and Organizing staff to take action and recommend action. Only the three that get the most delegate votes are affirmed.

When GA delegates adopt an AIW, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), other UUA leaders, congregations, districts, and Unitarian Universalists organizations may use it as a basis for public statements on the matter and are urged to act on it.

A list of Congregational Study Action Issues and Actions of Immediate Witness through the years can be viewed here.

The UUA states: “We are stronger together. Our combined efforts to make the world more fair and humane can accomplish more than any one of us working alone. As Unitarian Universalists, we set priorities for our social justice efforts by investing in key issues that exemplify our commitments to justice, equity and compassion.” Learn more about the social witness statement process.