The aim was quite interesting. Gather in the auditorium of the Library Lúcio Craveiro da Silva the international students, Red Cross Youth and young people in general in order to discuss the cultural differences and human rights.
After a year of activity of the Project MEET with young people of different nationalities, a team of volunteers felt the necessity to address the issues that seem to be fundamental.
The phenomenon of multiculturalism touches us deeply, not only because we are volunteers, but mainly because we are citizens in a society increasingly heterogeneous.
Moreover, it is necessary to reflect on the differences between cultures and the best way to understand and embrace them. It is an exercise that should not be restricted only to those who are studying or interested in these issues, but to all citizens.
All those who participated in the workshop had the opportunity to understand a bit more the division between "universalism of the human rights vs. the relativism culture" through a brief presentation of the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights, its content and functionality, as well as main criticism it received over the last 60 years since its adoption.
The case studies analyzed in a group set the tone for the debate. Even though the opinions varied, the discussion was very productive. The conviction of one person complemented the discourse of another what made the exchange of the ideas quite fluid. Time for the discussion was short and might have left the feeling that much more could have still been said on the subject.
Was the objective met? I leave the answer to some of the workshop participants.
Mamadou Racine Raiz Coly, Senegal: “I liked the workshop a lot. The discussions were limited by the lack of time, nevertheless, very interesting in content and the cases presented on Human Rights. Initiatives like this should be encouraged and multiplied as one of our [participants] said during the lecture. Thanks to MEET for allowing us to learn about the realities of other nations. I also thank all those who participated and those who wanted to but could not be present. The intellectual conversation was a pleasure. Merci Beaucoup de plus.”
Jane Badaro, Brasil: “I also really enjoyed the workshop, it was great to discuss, argue and share reflections with smart people on serious subjects.”
What is left, is to thank everyone who participated, the MEET volunteers for their work and dedication, the Lucio Craveiro da Silva Library for their support. On our part we promise to provide more opportunities enabling reflections similar to the ones shared at this workshop.
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