------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 An online tribute http://aquinobraganca.wordpress.com/ (includes many historical references, some photographs and documents)
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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.