As always with my community groups and projects, I have been astounded by the topics of discussion we've been able to cover in our first two
charlas with the
Constructores de la Sociedad on civic education and community action. My impression thus far: the dictatorship has left a lasting legacy both on the record and in the hearts and minds of my community.
Check out the Preamble's reference to the role of human dignity in Paraguay:
"The Paraguayan people, through their legitimate representatives convening at the National Constituent Assembly, pleading to God, recognizing human dignity for the purpose of ensuring freedom, equality and justice, reaffirming the principles of a representative, participatory, pluralistic republican democracy, upholding national sovereignty and independence and joining the international community, hereby approve and promulgate this Constitution."
Placed with such prominence in the founding document of modern Paraguay, human dignity is recognized as ensuring several key aforementioned societal values. The big question: where does my community in Paraguay draw the line between dignity and indignity? If only we could begin to give a shape to such an ambiguous term at the foundation of this gaining democracy, perhaps we'll have an insight into the ideals of this society as a whole and the challenges in achieving them. While I cannot say we got anywhere close to achieving this aim, we were able to dish out the group's feelings on poverty, disability, the elderly, state protection, and those institutions (or lack thereof) that work to address these ends.
This week's second session, we focused on the rights of the child with regards to his/her dignity. Prioritizing the principles of the
Declaration of the Rights of the Child, we began to break down those rights that are coveted and those that my community finds most difficult to achieve.
In order of importance:
Right to a name and nationality
Right to food, shelter, adequate medical attention for the child and mother
Right to special protection for the child's physical, mental and social development
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to equality without distinction of race, creed or nationality
Right to receive free education
Right to build a spirt of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to special education and care for those physically or mentally disabled
Right to be first to receive help in the case of disaster
In order of difficulty to achieve in the community:
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to build a spirt of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to food, shelter, adequate medical attention for the child and mother
As always with my community groups and projects, I have been astounded by the topics of discussion we've been able to cover in our first two
charlas with the
Constructores de la Sociedad on civic education and community action. My impression thus far: the dictatorship has left a lasting legacy both on the record and in the hearts and minds of my community.
Check out the Preamble's reference to the role of human dignity in Paraguay:
"The Paraguayan people, through their legitimate representatives convening at the National Constituent Assembly, pleading to God, recognizing human dignity for the purpose of ensuring freedom, equality and justice, reaffirming the principles of a representative, participatory, pluralistic republican democracy, upholding national sovereignty and independence and joining the international community, hereby approve and promulgate this Constitution."
Placed with such prominence in the founding document of modern Paraguay, human dignity is recognized as ensuring, reaffirming, and upholding several key aforementioned societal values. The big question: where does my community in Paraguay draw the line between dignity and indignity? If only we could begin to give a shape to such an ambiguous term at the foundation of this strengthening democracy, perhaps we'll have an insight into the ideals of this society as a whole and the challenges in achieving them. While I cannot say we got anywhere close to achieving this aim, we were able to dish out our feelings on poverty, disability, age, state protection, and those institutions (or lack thereof) that work to address these ends.
This week's second session, we focused on the rights of the child with regards to his/her dignity. Prioritizing the principles of the
Declaration of the Rights of the Child (simplified), we began to break down those rights that are coveted and those that my community finds most difficult to achieve.
In order of importance:
Right to a name and nationality
Right to food, shelter, and adequate medical attention for the child and mother
Right to special protection for the child's physical, mental and social development
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to equality without distinction of race, creed or nationality
Right to receive free education
Right to build a spirit of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to education and care for children with physical or mental disability
Right to be the first to receive disaster aid
In order of difficulty to achieve in my community:
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to build a spirit of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to food, shelter, and adequate medical attention for the child and mother
Right to receive free education
Right to equality without distinction of race, creed or nationality
Right to special protection for the child's physical, mental and social development
Right to education and care for children with physical or mental disability
Right to a name and nationality
Right to be the first to receive disaster aid
Looking at these lists, we can see some of the priorities and challenges that my community (and very likely Paraguay nationally) is working with. One can draw his/her individual conclusions, but I see this particular sequence of rights as indicative of how society feels on a deeper and larger level- its values in the former, and its apprehensions in the later. Thinking back on my days in training and learning about the legacy of dictatorships world-wide, it seems fitting. Odd how one little exercise can make lucid a realization only thus far entertained in my mental musings.
If the aim here is to "build a society," (as signified by the group's name Constructores de la Soceidad) a clear understanding of the foundation upon which one is building is necessary. Little by little, we are re-discovering the bricks to build upon.
