| we
cannot let it happen that patriarcal domination and values
continue to prevail in our societies;
we cannot let it happen that material greed is stimulated
to such an extent that it will prevail over immaterial aspirations
and spiritual values;
we cannot let it happen that, while this immensely rich planet
has all the resources to feed humankind, the majority of human
beings, is still living in dire poverty;
we cannot let it happen that natural resources of this planet
are wasted and partly destroyed;
We just cannot let it happen…and… we cannot wait
for the day that all powers that be - not some, but all- conceive
of power as a means to be used to create conditions for a
life of dignity for each human being.
We cannot let it happen…, we have to assume responsibility,
each and everyone of us, according to our own potential, from
the level of the home to the levels of the workplace, of economic,
political and religious life.
This too was clearly said by this World Assembly of Citizens
who were called together by the Alliance for a Responsible,
Plural and United world.
It did not simply say : "we take responsibility because
it is our duty to do so".
It said something much more profound : it is because deep
down, we all experience the passion of love for all that lives,
other human beings, flowers, animals, the beauty of nature;
it is because of our love for this immense creative force
of Life itself.
We cannot let it happen that this love is replaced by feelings
of powerlessness or even despair.
"Love" originally means "staying with".
Taking responsibility out of love then implies "staying
with…", that is : not giving up, being aware, being
awake and acting from love for all that lives.
One among the very many other ways of acting, is to take
on board the idea of a Charter of Human Responsibilities,
to improve it, to work with it by specifying the implications
for our own fields of social and professional activities and
for our own cultural contexts. |
