 In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? +Not valuing of human life and the real well-being of persons. +Family ruptures and breakdowns. +A poverty that takes root in persons, leading them to waste their own possibilities and real personal resources because they do not know how to use them. +Political models and social actions designed without the participation of the recipients, who best know their own needs. +Breakdowns in families and in persons which can impact them negatively in the different aspects of their lives as in education, work, etc. +Unchristian attitudes of social rejection, even originating in the Church, in institutions and other groups, towards those living in poverty. What can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive “society for all.” What kind of policies are needed? **Promote the value of respect for human life, of all peoples and cultures, based on the conviction that an authentic people is one that knows how to respect and care for the most defenseless and fragile life. **Promote the recovery of a simplicity of life which strengthens family and neighborhood ties. **The most disadvantaged social groups experience economic development policies that take them into account. **Investment in educational and social programs with personalized attention to groups experiencing personal and social breakdown, thus avoiding ghettos of any social class. **Policies of social integration without countries exploiting one another but working towards greater well-being such as in the phenomenon of emigration, the consequences of deforestation, development of food banks originating from excesses. **Trade and aid projects to the poorest countries should not impede their use of their own resources for their own development. Examples of good practices and programs that encourage social integration ~~In the School System, the project of attention to diversity by the entire Province, makes our Centers genuinely, welcoming the contribution of everyone who makes up the educational communities. ~~Social Integration Plans which coordinate actions for housing, food, formation, work, transportation, administrative support, leisure, without excluding anyone. ~~Project of Collaboration with other concerned groups in a residential welcome center for minors at social risk (abandoned, abused, mistreated, broken families, unaccompanied minors). Networking with Social Services for the integration of the minor into his/her family and of the family into their environment or, when this is not possible, with alternative, non-biological families. ~~Projects of collaboration with private institutions, developing programs of welcome to those of the ‘third age’, with scarce resources and without stable family support. Add Comment  By Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, DC The Cook Islands are diligently planning to protect their “enua” (lands) and “moana” (ocean) from effects of global warming and climate change, even though they bear minimal responsibility for causing them. “Big countries are into mitigation, but adaptation is our only choice,” said Deyna Marsh, Education and Awareness Coordinator for the Cook Islands National Environment Services. “Changes are already happening. Sea levels are rising all around the Pacific. If nothing is done now, we will lose our Islands, our traditions, our culture. Buildings and infrastructure on the foreshore will be lost or damaged, and both food security and the health of the people will be affected.” A workshop held in Rarotonga, February 28 to March 4, produced a Cook Islands Climate Change Adaptation Plan. When the Plan is approved by managers of the Kyoto Protocol Climate Change Adaptation Fund, the Cook Islands could receive $5million in support. Read More  When the Daughters of Charity in Puerto Rico responded to the inquiry from the United Nations' NGO Committee on Social Development about their experience of social integration or the lack of it among those with whom they live and work, what follows are their observations and concerns: Question 1: In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? -Racism based on skin color, nationality, social class, religion, politics, etc. - Cultural marginalization, the disintegration of the family - Religious pluralism or the increased number of religious sects/denominations -Neo-liberalism and political imperialism Question 2: Examples of good practices and programs that encourage social integration. Project Life and Hope: Counseling and therapy services for families, children and adults. Efforts are made so that the people realize these services are beneficial to the community because they make them better citizens who share and are integrated into communal activities. Music Project: after school hours, integrates students from diverse communities that are in conflict over drugs and other issues. There is solidarity among NGOs that want to promote the poor and marginalized sectors through the establishment of micro loan incubator projects for those who can’t get access to traditional banks. This is in its infancy but very similar to what the Vincentian Family is trying to establish in Haiti. Question 3: What can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive “society for all” (what kind of policies are needed)? --Reduce government bureaucracy, that the government be seen not as a way to get rich but to serve. --That democracy be authentic and not a fiction, as it is in the majority of countries. -Disinterested economic support by the government to works of social justice. --That programs for the young be established in universities and schools with the focus on helping them become promoters of social integration through clubs, foundations, alliances. This would be a sort of a vaccine for the new generation against the virus of profit and individualism that the neo-liberal system / culture promotes. --Campaigns that promote the equality of all people.  Daughters of Charity serving in Argentina responded from their experiences with the most vulnerable to the NGO survey on social inclusion/integration, sharing their reflections, concerns and hopes. In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? · The disintegration of the family · The lack of the opportunities to procure higher education and a profession · Unemployment · Uncontrolled violence · The deterioration of and lack of social services What are examples of good programs and practices the encourage social integration? St. Louise School, Caracas imparts a complete and quality education on the levels of preschool, primary and junior high. We strive to from conscientious citizens with Christian commitments, competent , and in solidarity with these commitments, open to the present and the future, capable of bettering their situation in life and in solidarity with the needs and difficulties of others. · The education community participates in solidarity campaigns to benefit people with low incomes. There is an organization, “Fathers of Families,” with great effort they promote Christian and human development in the surrounding neighborhood. They strive to promote integrated growth with and for 350 young children in the primary and intermediate levels. The children come from country and city area. They prepare them for life by means of activities that involve them in building skills for life. They also work to stimulate the children’s abilities to help build a new and a just society. What can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive “society for all” (What kind of policies are needed)? Emphasize and honor human rights. Daughters in Columbia Share Inclusion Concerns At the Copenhagen Summit in 1995, the Secretary General of the UN defined the objective of Social Development as the creation of “a society for all” where all are included/integrated into society. Daughters of Charity were surveyed to share their experiences of the exclusion of the most vulnerable. The Daughters in Ecuador responded to the following three questions. 1. In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? 2. What are examples of good programs and practices that encourage social integration? 3. What do can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive "society for all'? (Spanish) Indigenous in the Philippines 06/13/2011
Aetas, Indigenous of Boracay, Finally have a Land of Their Own  When 40 Aeta families, composed of 200 tribe members of Boracay Island finally received their land title, in January 2011, giving them the right to possess a 2.1 hectare of land on the island, Manang Delta, their tribe chieftain, declared “At last, we don’t need to roam around the island. We now have a land of our own.” She also gave “Thanks” to those who helped them especially Fr. Isauro David, (Fr. Sau), formerly the parish priest in Boracay Island, who helped the Aetas in their struggle to have their own place on the island and the Daughters of Charity who came to assist them. Read more For more information on Indigenous People and the UN,click here. (Spanish or French) Your Turn Indigenous persons in the past often have not had their voices heard. Many decisions about their land and their rights have been made by others, e.g. nations and corporations. Currently, the UN is supporting indigenous persons in their effortst to have their voices heard. Have you had experiences with indigenous persons in your area that you would like to share? Click "add comment" to leave your thoughts. DC Interventions at the UN 06/12/2011
Daughter of Charity Interventions at the UN, 2011  As an NGO at the UN in special consultative status, the Daughters of Charity have both the right and the obligation to contribute to the on-going dialogues, understandings and work of the UN through interventions at the various Commission meetings. What follows is recent work submitted and accepted at two of those Commission meetings, that of the Commission on Social Development and that of the Commission on the Status of Women. Submitted to the Commission on Social Development Survey on Social Development Inequality and Social Exclusion Submitted to the Commission on The Status of Women Education of Girls Social Exclusion and Rural Women Your Turn Click "add comment" to leave your thoughts on any of the interventions. Daughters of Charity in Ecuador: Perspectives on Social Integration/Inclusion  At the Copenhagen Summit in 1995, the Secretary General of the UN defined the objective of Social Development as the creation of “a society for all” where all are included/integrated into society. Daughters of Charity were surveyed to share their experiences of the exclusion of the most vulnerable. The Daughters in Ecuador responded to the following three questions. In your experience, what are the main barriers to social integration? What are examples of good programs and practices that encourage social integration? What do can governments and international institutions do to encourage social integration and an inclusive "society for all'? |
