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A QUESTION OF HUMAN SURVIVAL
Theresa Catharina de Góes Campos
A mature, intelligent concept of survival
advocates Development for all Nations.
Men of vision are never selfish. They are
dreamers and accomplishers but they always
include others in their plans. Noah´s Ark was
not built as a shelter for him alone. In the
same way, the human race will survive only if we
endeavour by universal co-operation to build
together a world in harmony with nature.
Each country has something to offer. In some
poor nations, for instance, there is an
instinctive respect for the environment, a
traditional value which is faithfully
transmitted to the young ones, generation after
generation. Development projects give less
developed communities the opportunity to get
acquainted with - and benefit from - advanced
techniques. Many who took part in such programs
have said that an exchange of contributions did
occur which was beneficial to both donor and aid
recipient.
Giving and taking balances every human
relationship. It means compromising,
co-operating, it creates material and moral
growth. Unfairness and exploitation may ruin all
kinds of relationships between countries or
people, whereas practicing mutual respect and
encouragement creates a lasting friendship.
Solidarity establishes a basis for survival
because it increases the chances for
co-operation.
We all want to survive and most of us have
suggestions as to how to improve society.
Unfortunately, too many think that only a few
powerful persons can effectively influence human
destiny. Let us abandon such a negative premise.
Every person´s contribution does count. Quite
often, we are the ones to give the necessary
means of authority to individuals or groups.
People from all walks of life may benefit from
the progress in the field of mass communications
in order to increase their participation in
society´s affairs. Centuries ago, leaders fought
for substantial changes by using the only
channel available: personal communication.
Nowadays, despite political and socio-economic
constraints, it is worth trying to express our
views through the media. After all, we are its
readership and audience. Without our support, it
won´t survive either.
We realize the need to exercise our body to keep
it healthy. In the same way we should exercise
our mind in order to be free and creative. To
abdicate from the responsibility of thinking and
interpreting facts and opinions, by leaving it
entirely to others, would constitute an unwise
policy. Interaction with mass communications
will multiply our individual efforts. No other
contemporary resource shows such a potential for
maximizing the exchange of information capable
of promoting development for all nations.
Theresa Catharina de Góes Campos
(In "Presence")
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
February 15, 1982 |
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