Shape UUA Justice Commitment Through the Social Witness Process

We are stronger together. Our collective wisdom and creativity combine to bring more justice into the world in ways that could not be imagined among any of us working alone. As Unitarian Universalists, we call one another into our better selves through collectively discerning social justice actions to clarify our shared commitments to justice, equity and compassion.

While called by various names, the social witness process is the method by which the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) comes to understand and act on the social issues of our times, finally bearing witness through statements adopted as Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) policy by the delegates of a General Assembly (GA). The process has been an integral part of our faith since the merger between the Unitarians and the Universalists in 1961. This process is congregationally driven and is facilitated by the Commission on Social Witness (CSW). The CSW looks forward to engaging with proposers on the process and partnering with all UUs via the Side With Love Action Center.

2025-2028 Congregational Study Action Issue

Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation was selected as the 2025-2028 Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI). Read the entire CSAI.

Monthly Conversations on Abolition

As your congregation engages with the CSAI, join CLF’s Monthly Conversations on Abolition.

Monthly Conversations on Abolition: “Imagination and Abolition”
Happening: December 1, 2025, 7–8:30pm ET on Zoom

How does imagination shape our understanding of abolition — and what new worlds become possible when we dare to dream beyond systems of punishment and oppression?
Join us for “Imagination and Abolition”, the next conversation in our Monthly Conversations on Abolition series. Together, we’ll explore how imagination is not just a creative act, but a spiritual and political practice essential to the work of abolition and collective liberation. Register to participate.

Monthly Conversations on Abolition: “Intro to Restorative Justice Practices”

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 7–8:30pm on Zoom

Join us for “Intro to Restorative Justice Practices”, the next conversation in our Monthly Conversations on Abolition series. If you have asked yourself, what does accountability look like in a world without the carceral system? One answer is restorative and transformative justice practices. We will learn the basic tenets of restorative justice and dialogue about the ways we already affirm many of these practices in progressive spaces. Register to participate.

2025 Affirmed Actions of Immediate Witness

Actions of Immediate Witness

An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) is a statement about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU member congregations and groups.

Unlike a Statement of Conscience, an AIW does not carry the full authority of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA); rather, it 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. Adopted AIWs are used by congregations in local efforts and empower them to take action and recommend action through other departments of the UUA and other Unitarian Universalist groups.

Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) Process for 2024-2025

Congregational Study Action Issues are issues selected by Unitarian Universalist member congregations for three years of study, reflection and action. The purpose is to provide member congregations of the Association with an opportunity to mobilize energy, ideas and resources around a common issue. The end result will be a deeper understanding of our religious position on the issue, a clear statement of Association policy as expressed in a Statement of Conscience, and a greater capacity for congregations to take effective action.

In the third year of this process, delegates at GA can vote to approve a Statement of Conscience (SOC) resulting from two years of congregational feedback on the CSAI. There have been no CSAIs for the past few years, and we are now restarting this process. 

About Our Social Witness Statements

The UUA makes two different types of social witness statements: Statements of Conscience (SOCs), which arise from Congregational Study/Action Issues, and Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs).

  • Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) are issues selected by Unitarian Universalist member congregations for three years of study, reflection and action. 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. There have been no CSAIs in the past few years, and the cycle for proposals will begin again in the Fall of 2024.
  • Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) express the conscience and carry the authority of the delegates at the GA at which it is passed. AIWs are initiated by individual delegates and move through their entire creation and adoption process during a single GA.