Human dignity, brotherhood and dialogue between cultures

Geneva, Palais des Nations, Room VII
ONU Ginevra-16 maggio 2006

Martin Nkafu Nkemnkia
Pontifical Lateran and  Gregorian University - Rome

A universal brotherhood experience: 40 years case study in Fontem, Cameroon

Summary

Based on what we have seen in the video document, it is not difficult to imagine a society in which people from a different cultural background, religious beliefs and convictions, races, colour and languages could live together, sharing the same environment and committing oneself in the entire development and human advancement or progress in today's world. A world in which conflicts and wars, competition and domination is the live motive and reason for living.

In the United Nations in which the key expressions of dally life are: globalization, multiculturalism, Right of Diversity, Human Rights, Internationalisation, universality, Common Good,  Liberty, Responsibility and Dialogue, it is obvious that every citizen is challenged to reflect on his or her proper identity within the whole and, to identify worldwide solutions, in full respect of human liberty and dignity, in order to individuate global solutions to problems and barriers , giving birth to new ways of cultural encounter among people from different backgrounds. This may be a starting point for a shared opinion on development and advancement in society.

The principle of Internationality, proper to a multiculturale society invites everyone to render the world more human and worthy of peace.

The experience of Fontem, in which, the rediscovery of cultural diversity as a value and resource has brought many people to affirm that, without others there is no true self and that, no one can  know himself or herself if not in front  or through the other, it is possible to individuate an educative pathway that will guarantee a possibility of a "world citizenship" for all those who nourish the ideal of a United World.

In this case, it is not difficult to consider the world as a family whose inhabitants consider themselves as brothers and sisters.

The experience of Fontem makes it credible that the option of dialogue between cultures, solidarity as well as the experience of reciprocity and finally, recognition of interdependence among people, institutions of every level and kind,  remains the most effective way  of respecting dignity and equality of all peoples, their diversity and cultures and of shared values. This is, in fact, that which will conduct to shared progress and development. Progress and development which does not favour the rich to become richer, neither maintain the poor in the grass level of life without any hope for a better future.

To conclude, one can say that, a universal brotherhood society, cultural reciprocity, a multicultural society where love, respect, peace, rights and duties, sustainable development and human progress is possible. Fontem is one of these examples.