------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remembering Aquino Braganca (b. 6 April 1924), who fought for freedom
of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa. An online tribute
http://aquinobraganca.wordpress.com/ (includes many historical
references, some photographs and documents)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information .Formation.Transformation
A two day Faculty Enrichment Programme (FEP) was held at St. Xavier's College,
Mapusa, Goa on 19th and 20th March, 2009. The theme for the programme was
"EDUCATION TO PEACE AND COMMUNIAL HARMONY". The Resource person was Dr. (Fr.)
Jerry
Rosario, S.J. from Chennai (T.N.).
Dr. Rosario has a doctorate in Political Theology and a degree in Civil Law.
He is
a socio-pastoral animator and an activist whose area of work is with the dalits
in
India. He is a visiting professor in thirty-five institutions and has lectured
in
forty-three countries. Dr. Rosario has authored fifty four books for
undergraduate
and university students. He is the founder of JEPASA, DHANAM and MANITHAM.
'DO NOT LEAVE THE WORLD THE WAY YOU FOUND IT' - the AICUF motto, turned around
Dr.
Rosario's life into a 'Mission'. With this stirring statement, Dr. Rosario
introduced the concept of education. He raised some thought provoking
questions/statements on the true essence of education. Education, he stressed,
is
an ongoing process that should challenge us to change and grow. Often 'a
moment of
crisis is a moment of change'. The better approach to education is to
encourage
questions. In keeping with Socratic thinking, he said: "Answers can only
inform..
Questions form". Education should, therefore, provoke students to question,
stir
their imagination for a 'new future', generate awareness of the present, and an
analysis of the past through re-reading of the past historically and
structurally.
This awareness would then result in the animation of students, to develop a
fresh
outlook that would enthuse and empower them into action for a positive
transformation of society. These above components of the education process
operate
within the six societal systems i.e. social, political and economic systems
which
are the 'basic systems' and cultural, religious and ideological systems which
are
"meaning systems". Education then is 'Information' that leads to 'Formation'
of
self, and results in 'Transformation' of society for the better.
The group-sharing that followed focused on the introductory session on
education and
on the challenge for change that may have inspired the participants. The
feedback
from participants affirmed that Dr. Rosario was an enthusiastic speaker, with a
clear vision and deep convictions. His insights were inspiring and enriching,
examples very factual and down-to-earth, and all this was effectively
communicated
with much wit and humour in a style that was endearing to all.
The challenges that inspired the teachers included: introducing value added
teaching in the classroom situation, rewriting our scripts, treating each year
as a
new year, encouraging the spirit of enquiry in students, encouraging
spiritualism
rather than materialism, promoting responsible citizenship and sensitivity to
the
needs and rights of 'the other', becoming good role models for the students.
In
short, the faculty members agreed on the principle that 'we had to be the
change we
want to see in our students'.
Introducing the theme of peace and communal harmony, Dr. J. Rosario related the
little known life story of the childhood of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Through it, he
highlighted the definitive role played by a teacher in shaping the destiny of
the
students. Education needs to look at holistic formation where religion and
class
should not matter. Religion should help unite us in terms of our focus and
help us
achieve our goals. We need to identify the needy, marginalized students and
make
their concerns an important priority. Institutions of education need to
reconsider
their elitist approach to academic excellence.
Dr. Rosario focused on the negative aspects of communal disharmony and
peaceless
societies where violence was the order of the day. He stressed on the fact
that
these reactions always have a cause that needs to be questioned. Using
examples of
Krishna and Jesus, he laid emphasis on the need to stand up for the Truth
without
seeking personal gain.
Every reaction follows a spiral of violence. The spiral begins with
'Suppression'
and 'Oppression' as a result of the denial of human rights, communalism,
malnutrition, etc. This is followed by the stage of 'Demonstration' where a
revolt
takes place against suppression. The next stages are 'Repression' and
'Progression'.
Progression heralds a new consciousness where change has brought about peace
and
harmony coupled with justice.
Dr. J. Rosario highlighted that peace and communal harmony would reign only
when
justice prevails.
Peace and communal harmony with justice are manifested in five major ways:
Societal
justice, animal justice, plant justice, environmental justice and natural or
cosmic
justice.
Finally, he suggested some practical aspects to the theoretical deliberations
of the
day, in nine points: inclusions of perspectives of justice, peace and communal
harmony into the curriculum; creating a critical consciousness; having
foundation
course subjects; creation of rainbow groups; special societies; societal
analysis;
celebration of special days; networking with local associations and
inter-disciplinary studies.
In the Workshop that followed for suggestions to further the process of peace
and
communal harmony, the following suggestions came up to add on to the points
already
stated above. They were: starting a cell for inter-religions dialogue,
creating
general awareness through street plays, community radio service, conducting
talks/discussions on the basic tenets of other religious, making community
service
compulsory and part of the curriculum, strengthening teacher-student
relationships
by reaching out to students in need, taking up research projects on
marginalized
sections of society, focus on cosmic justice, as our survival depends on our
environment, encourage students to react to issues threatening peace and
communal
harmony; and screening of films/documentaries related to peace and communal
harmony.
In the closing session, participants had to present the proactive measures that
they
felt inspired to take up. Some of the ideas that emerged from the group
sharing
were: giving special attention to students generally sidelined
(unintentionally),
sensitize students on current issues that threaten peace and communal harmony,
treat
domestic help with respect and consideration, provide support for the education
of
at least one deserving student; plant a tree, adopt recycle habits at home,
carpool
or use public transport, donate organs, form human communities irrespective of
religious considerations; identify the cause
of misbehavior in students, encourage students to mingle with all in class, get
familiar with scriptures of other religions, undertake research on communal
harmony
in the local context; give students assignments related to environmental
justice;
inculcate the spirit of tolerance and acceptance of the other in the family,
class
and society; organize group activities to promote communal harmony, use
positive
reinforcement to promote peace in the classroom, allot time for discussion of
problems faced by the Society; organize inter-religious meetings, strengthen
spirituality and use Value Education classes for activities and discussions on
the
suggestions mentioned above.
Dr. J. Rosario wrapped up the F.E.P. with the statement: "Happier are those who
are
ready to pay to make their dreams come true".
<S><X><C>
With many thanks and kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Dr. (Fr.) Walter de Sá
PRINCIPAL
St. Xavier's College of Arts, Science & Commerce,
Xaviernagar, Mapusa - Goa - 403507 - INDIA.
