Children’s Right to Education
“When we walk we are always ‘falling’, and we have to make an effort to find our balance” (Juan José Millás and Juan Luis Arsuaga – La vida contada por un sapiens a un neardenthal).
When we talk about education we are talking about a process, a continuum, a path that we could say lasts a lifetime. For this reason, we can agree with the phrase that introduces this article. In every process of learning, of education, new learning provokes in the person a constant search for balance. As educators, as Marists, we are always in search of “balance”, in search of giving stability to the children and young people whom we want to help in their education.
Education, in its broadest sense, is about giving children and young people the tools they need to develop fully. A development that has to include all areas of the personality. And yes, this is one of the essential objectives of Marist education, especially among those who have more difficulties in accessing this right recognised by the United Nations.
The United Nations, in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recalls this right of every human being. Children and young people are the main focus of our efforts in education, although we Marists are also committed to the education of adults who did not have the opportunity when they were children or young people. There is no lack of Marist presences that help young adults, mothers, migrants… There are projects especially focused on the education of girls, who often have greater difficulty in accessing school.
Marcellin, from the beginning of the foundation of the Marist Institute, explained clearly what education was all about: “To educate children you have to love them, and love them all equally”. And we could go on with the invitation to adopt the necessary means to provide them with the tools for that purpose.
In this sense, our role as educators, as leaders in a Christian and Marist education, and therefore in an integral education, obliges us to “put ourselves in the shoes of the other”, as Brother Emili Turú (Superior General, 2009-2017) reminded us in his writing ‘He gave us the name of Mary’. Because to educate, because to love, it is necessary to “connect the realm of ideas and reason, but also the world of affection” (Br. Óscar Martín, General Councillor).
Educators and catechists, this is what Marcellin wanted us to be. To educate in science, in knowledge, in society, in faith, in spirituality… To educate to the full. This continues to be our challenge today, in the 21st century.
Marcellin “devoted himself to the education and evangelisation of young people, giving priority to the most abandoned” (Circular Br Ernesto Hogares de Luz). This continues to be our priority today, in the 21st century.
We end this article by recalling the words of Br Ernesto, in his circular, wishing that “every mission that we carry out be a space of light, which replicates and multiplies the experience of a home of light… with young people”. A light that illuminates our journey and that of our young people, which is none other than that of the Risen Christ. A light that balances us as persons, as Christians and as Marists.
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Br. Ángel Diego García Otaola – Director of the Solidarity Secretariat