Ideas Document – Working Paper

“In judging our progress as individuals we tend to concentrate on external factors, such as one’s social position, influence and popularity, wealth and standard of education… It is perfectly understandable if many people exert themselves mainly to achieve all these. But internal factors may be even more crucial…Honesty, sincerity, simplicity, humility, pure generosity, absence of vanity, readiness to serve others – qualities which are within easy reach of every soul

                                                            Nelson Mandela                                                                         

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Ubuntu […] speaks of the very essence of being human. [We] say […] “Hey, so-and-so has Ubuntu.” Then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. You share what you have. It is to say, “My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in yours.” We belong in a bundle of life. We say, “A person is a person through other persons. Desmond Tutu (No Future Without Forgiveness)           

If we are to go forward, we must go back and rediscover those precious values — that all reality hinges on moral foundations and that all reality has spiritual control. (Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968, Baptist civil-rights leader in the US)

IDEAS DOCUMENT WORKING PAPER: FEBRUARY 2011

 “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends…these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths” (President Obama’s inaugural address; 2009).

PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS

The Human Values Advocacy Group comprises of a group of persons from all walks of life who met as an inaugural group of 28 concerned persons on the 13 June 2009 to discuss Ubuntu and Human Values. This initiative subsequently led to the establishment of the Human Values Advocacy Group (HVAG). The primary objective of the Group is to conscientise, educate and train individuals and groups in Ubuntu and Human Values education, theory and practice with a view to contribute to the development of  character and values that will support a balanced and improved quality of life for all.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience. (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1 May 1881 – 10 April 1955),French Jesuit Priest)

THE CHALLENGE

Seventeen years post apartheid and the South African state is facing its greatest challenge ever, and that is: How to create and sustain a social fabric that is filled with peace, prosperity, love, tolerance, compassion, and contentment. With democracy has come numerous challenges posed by inter- alia, pandemics, such as HIV/AIDS and H1N1 (Swine Flu) abject poverty, corruption, crime and violence. All of these have threatened the peace, security and stability of the South African state, society and ultimately, the family unit.

These problems are found in all spheres of life, but are especially evident in the political, economic and social spheres. These range from political intolerance, economic greed and social inequities and are the fundamental causes of inhumanity to humanity. Greed, hypocrisy and hatred determine the egocentric welfare of individual, with limited focus on the collective welfare of all humanity, without reference to any division or distinction.

Politicians and social reformers have also made promises to improve the quality of life but these have not been fulfilled. The inhumanity continues …the callous destruction of human life; the whole World is caught-up in this mode of negativity. In the main, citizens have lost sight of the value and purpose of human life.

All role players in the global arena are not without criticism. World leaders have lost sight of human values and its impact on the global terrain.

In addition, natural disasters, such as tsunami, earthquakes, flooding, and famine have had their toll and added to their woes. The malaise is a never ending saga.

The United Nations as a peace facilitator has failed the purpose of its creation and is in reality a powerless body. Its impact has been felt on developed and developing nations alike.

THE PROBLEM

Given the common problems that assail humanity, how can we start to improve the human condition? In what ways can we start to reassert a belief in humanity and in particular Ubuntu and human values?  A strategic approach must be devised to deal with this problem holistically.  South Africans, as well, have lost sight of their common humanity and must find ways to regain their sense of universality, based on Ubuntu and Human Values. It must focus on its common heritage as humanity, by practicing unity in diversity. In other words, a return to our African roots of Ubuntu, an application of human values that is universal to all nations and cultures.

SOLUTION

The United Nations, in its declaration on Human Values has set the following guidelines for education (Mazzoleni, 1996:197):

“Instruction must aim at the full development of the human personality, and at the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental liberties. It must foster mutual understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all ethnic and religious groups, besides encouraging the measures taken by the United Nations to maintain peace.  The values taught must be universal, so as to completely transcend any superficial distinction of race or religious creed: they must represent the essence of human life or human values.”

There needs to be a fundamental shift in local, national and global thinking that advocates the significance of human values that inherently bind humanity to a common heritage. This approach must be inclusive and embracive focusing on universal values and natural laws that accept the sanctity of humanity and the need to protect uphold and strengthen its common heritage.  Critical to this goal is education and training in Ubuntu and Human Values…primarily the goal is to develop and design  values education  directed to build character… sound character is the basis of a caring, loving and sharing individual…individuals make-up society…and societies compose the  nation states and the ultimately the global community.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a 21st Century Social Reformer and Spiritual Master says “Education without character, science without humanity, politics without principles and commerce without morality are not only useless, but positively dangerous. What humanity needs now is examples of good character and integrity, particularly among the youth of the nation.”

3.   VISION, MISSION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE HUMAN VALUES ADVOCACY GROUP

In the pursuance of human values education, the Human Values Advocacy Group has adopted a vision, mission and objectives to direct its activities. The problem statement its resolutions and outcomes are first highlighted:

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Using the Ubuntu and Human Values approach to meet the 21st century challenges of the public, private, community and inter-sectoral spheres in South Africa and on the African Continent and globally.

PROBLEM RESOLUTION AND OUTCOMES

A values-based ethical system in the public, private, community and inter-sectoral would therefore develop:

• Awareness
• Responsibility; and
• Honesty and Ethical Action.

As for those that have faith and do good works, God will bestow on them their rewards and enrich them from his own abundance. (Koran, Surah Women, 4:173)

VISION 

The Centre shall promote Ubuntu and Human Values to effectively and efficiently support the improvement of the quality of life in all sectors of human endeavour by inspiring through appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes that resonate within their daily lives.                  

MISSION STATEMENT  

The Group shall inter- alia strive to:

Promote and stimulate values based approach in public, private, community and inter-sectoral spheres;

1.  Be an institution of excellence in Ubuntu and human values education and training;
2.  Provide quality education and training programmes in human values;
3.  Engage in  teaching, research and community engagement in human values;
4.  Contextualise Ubuntu and Human Values with particular awareness of culture, tradition and environmental influences; and
5.  Promote a people-centred human values approach in the public, private, community and inter-sectoral spheres. 

 GOALS 

1. Stimulate and develop a universal understanding of  Ubuntu and Human Values principles and philosophy;
2. Research and develop values-based educational and training  programmes directed at different sectors;
3. Build-capacity for delivering values-based training programmes;
4.  Integrate and implement local and global best value based practices;
5. Develop and publish values-based and ethical media for widespread dissemination; and
6. Develop programmes in partnership with government, business, and NGO’s and community groups.

Contact Details:

Convenor: Dr Sathi Moodle

Human Values Advocacy Group

41 Middlemiss Crescent

Reservoir Hil

4091

Cell No. 0836111992/Home No. 031-262566                

Email: sathimoodley5@gmail.com

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

BIOSKETCH: DR S MOODLEY: 2011

Dr Sathi Moodley has had 37 years of experience in the tertiary educational sector, of which 15 years was spent in an administrative capacity. In the following 22 years, he taught the discipline of Public Administration, Public Management and Development and Local Government Management, as well as served in different capacities at the former University of  Durban-Westville (1972), now  the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2004) and until recently at University of Zululand (March 2009). Dr Moodley has served in leadership positions: as Discipline Chair of Public Administration, Faculty Secretary, Deputy Dean and as Dr/Professor and Dean of Commerce, Administration and Law at University of Durban Westville, (UDW), July 1999) and  as Professor and Dean of Faculty of Management Studies (February 2003); as Professor and Dean of Faculty of Management Studies at University of KwaZulu Natal),(UKZN, January 2004) and as Professor and Executive Dean of Commerce, Law and Administration at University of Zululand (UNIZULU, August 2007- March 2009). He has co-authored and contributed to numerous journal articles and texts. He was awarded a British Council Fellowship which he tendered at the University of Birmingham. Dr Moodley is now semi-retired and currently convenes the Human Values Advocacy Group, a non-profit community based organisation focusing on Ubuntu and Human Values Education and Training.

The Human Values Advocacy Group: Putting Human Values First.

Life is a paradox. It fluctuates between realms of possibility and inevitability. It includes a sense of both hope and hopelessness. How you choose to manage it depends on your strength of character and purpose. As a consequence you may rise to brilliance or fall to despondency…so make the right choice…the smart choice…the choice for Human Values. (HVAG 2009)

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.  (William Shakespeare)