I am here, I stand for ethics
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Today is the last day of our journey here at the International Workshop on 'Ethics Education - Strategy for Success' in Geneva, where we have been reflecting on ethics in higher education. Perhaps it is the most tiring day, or maybe the day when you expect to take home the results of our reflection.
However, this is a great moment to remind us why we are here and why we stand for Ethics in Higher Education.
I cannot talk about your reasons; I cannot speak for you. Nevertheless, what I certainly can do is to speak of my reasons and motivations.
I am here because of my vulnerabilities and privileges. Yes, I am here in front of you because I am privileged, because I was born into a middle-class family that gave me the love for education.
I am here because I had the opportunity to go to school and because I got a scholarship to go to university.
I am here because, one day, the World Council of Churches decided that I was a good candidate to study ecumenism, ethics and interreligious dialogue.
I am here because I work for an organisation where my skin colour and nationality is not a factor of discrimination.
I am not here to take the voice of someone else. I simply cannot.
I am not here because I'm from the global south or because I am poor, or even because I work for Globethics.net.
I am here because one day, someone had the opportunity to take an ethical decision and open a space for people like me.
So, why do I stand for ethics?
Because I believe that another way of doing politics, economics, theology, science, etc. is possible.
Because I think the worst of our world is a product of unethical decisions and behaviour.
Because I have faith that the impact of our unethical decisions will show us more about our selfishness than our religions.
So, I ask you, what will remain with you when our journey arrives at its end?
I can give you my perspective: the impact of our acts is a reflection of our ethical or unethical decisions.
We cannot touch ethics. However, all of us have experienced its power and voice.
Why is ethics important in my Latin American context?
Because we know how corruption destroys societies, families, companies, governments and life; just look at what is happening with the Colombian peace agreement.
Because I believe ethics in higher education is part of the solution [to strengthen] our weak world.
Thus, I stand for ethics because I have seen how ethics changes lives. Ethics is not a gospel, but indeed it is an inner part of it.
Ethics in higher education has the potential to transform our society; it should be a global and institutional commitment.
Are we committed to ethics?
Thank you.
Deivit MontealegreProgramme Executive Globethics.net South America
This reflection was made on the morning of 30 August 2019 at the Globethics.net International Workshop on 'Ethics Education - Strategy for Success' held in Geneva, Switzerland from 28 to 30 August 2019.