LGW Presents Thematic Panel at an Event at the United Nations
ICT - Integrated Innovative Education for Global Citizenship to Eliminate Poverty
On July 19, 2017, the Legion of Good Will (LGW) co-sponsored a panel on "ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) - Integrated Innovative Education for Global Citizenship to Eliminate Poverty", at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York City.
Among the diverse audience, made up of representatives of NGOs and international leaders from across the globe, was the presence of our panelists: the Ambassadors of Tunisia, Mohamed Khiari and Korea, Choonghee Hahn, as well as the director of UNESCO in New York, Lily Gray, and a representative of the company Samsung, Ann Woo.
Representing the Legion of Good Will, Danilo Parmegiani, was a guest speaker of the panel, who presented the effective practices the LGW has employed over the past 67 years to successfully reduce poverty in highly impoverished areas around the world. Echoing the principles of the President of the organization, José de Paiva Netto, Mr.
Parmegiani highlighted the importance of the Pedagogy of Affection and an Ecumenical Citizen Education:
“The LGW, again, was invited to share their good practices in this field because it already incorporates in its educational line many aspects of global citizenship provided for in the UN agenda… Indeed, it is important to see that UNESCO itself now begins to speak beyond the cognitive development also the socio-emotional development and behavior. And the Legion of Good Will, long talks about this comprehensive development happen within biopsychosocial spirit-ie, actually meeting all the needs of the human being. Then the LGW is concerned not only to provide quality education for the children to have an academic performance excellence, but mainly in forming the character, to ensure that these citizens become upstanding citizens, conscious, supportive, ecumenical, unselfish society… For this reason, the thought of the educator Paiva Netto ‘Here we study. Brain and Heart are formed’ was repeated by the president of the NGO Committee on Education, Dr. Joseph DeMeyer, who moderated the conference and resonates in a very strong way because it sums up the concern that the LGW has in actually forming integral citizens, prepared to build the Solidary, Altruistic and Ecumenical Society.”
Over the past few days, many of these leaders in the fight against poverty have been learning more about the LGW fraternal and ecumenical message from the LGW magazine, GOOD WILL: Sustainable Development 2017 (versions in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French).
The publication provides the President's message of the institution, José de Paiva Netto, in the editorial entitled "Education to Eradicate Poverty", which highlights the strength of goodwill in meeting the social challenges of the planet. The author says: "Sustainable development is one of the biggest challenges faced by emerging nations or by those that have already reached the highest level of material growth in their economies. However, if it is our heartfelt wish to see progress shared with everyone, we believe that solidary development must, above all, enlighten the actions of the Earth's inhabitants-from the hightest to the lowest- and of their future generations who live on our collective home. Therefore, the planet demands something more than an effective public policy; it demands the commitment of a new conscience based on principles that guarantee the continuity of life and human coexistence above all other interests. This awareness fosters joint efforts between nations that aim to urgently help people who are in need of someone who will stretch out their hands to them."
The panel was part of the official program for High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the High-Level Meeting of the Economic and Social Council of the UN. Meeting annually in July, this forum brings together top international authorities and leaders of governments around the world all focused on the theme of "Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World".