A beacon of hope
FONDAZIONE LUCHETTA OTA
D’ANGELO HROVATIN-TRIESTE, ITALY, “A
BEACON OF HOPE FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN”
BY
NSIKAK OBOT EKANEM (NIGERIA)
Over the last seven years, I have organizes various international events for children and young adults to provide international exposure to them so that they develop an international perspective and a global vision and become active agents of social transformation, promoting world unity and would peace.
During the course of interaction, many children expressed apprehensions about their future, mostly on account of the enormous threat posed to the very life on our planet earth due to the catastrophic impact that human activities seem to be having on environment and ecology as reflected in climatic changes and global warming. It was this apprehension which inspired and motivated me to take up the cause of the world’s children, and generations yet unborn, to strive for international peace and security in order to safeguard the future of world’s two billion children having continuously worked with children and young adults for more than seven years, I have developed immense love and concern for the welfare, safety and security of children of the world through values-based education believing that children are the single most powerful common denominator for all the nations of the world and their safety and security are issues which no one can ignore and differ with.
Every child is potentially the light of the world and at the same time the cause of its darkness, wherefore must the question of meaningful education be accounted as of primary importance. We need to impart values- based education to children and they should be taught the values of hard work and open mindedness and should be encouraged to cultivate qualities needed to be successful in life for a spiritually satisfying career. Children should be taught the values of tolerance, co-existence, unity and universal brotherhood. Education should be such as to inspire in every child spirit of divine reality of mankind. It should aim at helping children to acquire all-round personality development which can be achieved by providing to them not only material education according to school syllabus, but also human education and divine education.
In the present world scenario, it is incumbent upon the elders to impart the values of religious harmony, world unity and world peace, we should abandon all forms of prejudices and inculcate a commitment in children for universal brotherhood and world peace and to develop global perspective.
New clothes cannot be made out of old ones. A new foundation is needed but we need to ourselves questions, such as: what is the purpose of human existence, what is the purpose of education and indeed what is the purpose of the government and of governance. I am happy that Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angelo Hrovatin is taking the lead to ensure a safe future for all the children of the world.
During my visit to the centre, I have seen the Living Values Child-centered, experiential approach being practiced and implemented and has help these vulnerable children to discover their hidden potentials and inherent qualities as well as redefine their sense of purpose in their lives.
The data known to all of us concerning the cruel fate of children are terrible children injured in war, who will never be able to grow into healthy adults, children who have been helpless of the horrors of war, for whom this will be the only memory of their childhood.
Children are the supreme assets of any nation. Children can and must be a free for social change, as Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angelo Hrovatin have been doing remarkably and with an increasingly stronger impact. We must give our children a new direction and we must believe they are capable of great things that one day, they will in fact, change the world.
The threat to humankind, whether natural or man-made is not only directed at a particular race or nation, but transcends racial, national, religious and cultural boundaries. Hence, it is only necessary that we, again, renew our commitment to world peace and development through international law that is truly enforceable. My visit to Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angello Hrovatin was particularly unique, yet of transcendental importance as it focuses on safeguarding the future of the world’s children, born and unborn. This visit is again a realization of my commitment to uphold the rights of every child as declared in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the United Nations 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the child. These commitments, having been transformed into binding legal obligations through the convention on the Rights of the child, have become more relevant than ever.
Today humanity is standing at crossroads. One path leads to unity, peace and prosperity and the other leads to disunity, chaos and uncertainty, therefore Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angello Hrovcatin is a center with the role of nurturing the virtue and quality of the human spirit where each soul feels safe and encouraged to re-discover the value of love, peace and harmony, even in these much troubled times. I see an international point of focus, for the founders of Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angello Hrovatin whose role is to give momentum to the rising tide of change. It is their vision, their words, their powerful thoughts which can give the courage and consent to many others to give their hand of co-operation.
In the Fondazione Lucheta Ota D’angelo Hrovatin House, I see the creation of a world free of violence and fear, a world of generosity and respect where divine laws prevail. Most of all, I see a place of light, where minds become enlightened and hearts become lighter. The presence of that light is the blessing of new life for those children who are in difficult situations.
I have been impressed by their commitment to the ideals and principles of the United Nations, particular it’s goals of creating a more peaceful world, a world where justice, respect for human rights and peaceful relations will prevail.
These are objectives which form the basis of Fondazione Lucheta Ota D’angelo Hrovatin and it has become a place where people of all races, creeds and nationalities can come together with the common aim of building bridges of understanding and co-operation, particularly at a time when old traditions and old barriers are breaking down and a new world order is emerging. I am convinced that international peace and security, global justice and the dignity and welfare of humanity, depend upon individual human beings realizing their common bonds and the strength which they can bring by pooling their hearts and minds and their endeavours for a better world.
My congratulations and thanks to all who have made the vision of Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angelo Hrovatin become reality. My best wishes to all who give their time and energy tirelessly, in the service of others under Fondazione Luchetta Ota D’angelo Hrovatin, Trieste, Italy.
Hon. Nsikak Obot Ekanem
` LVEP National Co-ordinator For Nigeria.
Email: Nigeria@livingvalues.net
website: www.livingvalues.net