Ubuchindami: Book Discussion
23rd September 2006
At
THEME: The question âwhyâ? – An exploration of the foundation of human right
Training of young people is among the World Youth Allianceâs core prioritie
The World Youth
The book to be discussed is Man and the State By Jacques Maritain. The book examines the place and role of the state, the development of the idea of human rights, the limits of these rights, and the need for the recognition of what they truly represent.
The theme of the discussion will be: The question âWhyâ â an exploration of the foundation of human rights
âThis question of the why remains the area in which new developments and discussions continue to be held, and this question of the why is the continuous question of âwho is manâ? Is man an entity to which the state grants rights and the protection of those rights, or is man a being with intrinsic dignity, already in possession of those rights, which must simply be recognized and respected by the state? This question, which was at the heart of the debate of the drafting committee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was at the heart of the dissident and resistance movements under Communism continues to be at the heart of all major debates at the United Nations and in each of our nation state
âHow we answer this question will determine the direction of both our policy and our culture, and ultimately the vision of humanity which we will place upon the world today and for the next generation. Most clearly, however, this question must first be decided in the hearts of individual people who then make a commitment to live in a manner expressive of these conviction
Questions for discussions
We encourage members from other countries to discuss the book.
Please register with Hezbon or the
Hezbon@gmail.com or Africa@wya.net