1st International Congress in Values "Dignified Life and Education" in Paraguay

The need to promote human values in education inspire the creation of the 1st International Congress in Values "Dignified Life and Education" in Paraguay. Respect for others, human dignity, differences and the value of life were among the issues discussed during the opening day of the event.

The Permanent Forum on Interreligious Dialogue, the Ministry of Education and Culture, through the Vice Ministry of Worship, Mr. Hugo Britez, and the National Commission on the Bicentennial Celebration of the Republic organized the conference with support from Amisrael, the American University (Universidad Americana) and the Organization of Iberoamerican States for Education, Science and Culture(Estados Iberoamericanos para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura). The main objective is to provide a space where religious leaders, thinkers, politicians, intellectuals and journalists can expose, discuss and propose ideas, strategies and projects for the construction of a society based on human values.

Vice Minister of Worship Mr. Hugo Brítez, welcomed all participants on behalf of his country and conducted the opening ceremony. During his speech he said: "This is a conference where I hope that we all leave with more fraternity. More than that, I hope we leave with many more questions than we came in with. This is a place for us to consider the big questions and small questions, questions that should guide our thinking in the coming days”.

In the morning, renowned personalities gave presentations on different subjects, such as Dr.Rudolph Dyck, representative of the Evangelical Churches of Paraguay; Congressman Dionisio Ortega, with the theme "Introduction of culture of peace law " and Dr. Alicia Tallone, representing the Organization of Iberoamerican States for Education .

Vista general

In his turn, Dr. William Soto, International Director of Amisrael, participated in the magisterial conference, presenting an analysis of the values crisis the world faces today. He highlighted the need and importance to include love as a fundamental value to overcome violence, intolerance and many of the ailments that afflict the human family.

"We are different from each other, and those differences complement us as humanity. We are like a garden full of flowers of different colors and different shapes.
In this first Congress in Values, entitled "Dignified Life and Education", which brings together educators, intellectual and spiritual leaders, we join forces so that very soon we have a Paraguay for everybody.
In order to achieve this, always remember to add a dose of love to the knowledge, a seed, which will germinate and produce a healthy and productive society”, he stated at the end of his contribution.

Probably one of the most outstanding presences during the event was that of Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger from Israel, who came to Paraguay for the first time. He came under the invitation of the Vice Minister of Worship and Amisrael.

During his presentation he highlighted the education and implementation of actions to promote peace as a fundamental and important step to make changes in the current way people experience human values.
He developed several important points during his speech but drew considerable public attention when he referred to a verse that is well known among Jewish people. “ The verse says:"He who makes peace on earth, he will make peace on earth over us ".

Gran Rabino de Israel Askenazi Yona Metzger junto al Rabino Eliahu Birbaum

.. It's very interesting that when we say our prayers at the end of this verse: "God makes peace in heaven and make peace on us too," the custom is that the person has to take three steps backward, "And what why is that, that when you say this verse you have to take three steps backwards? The answer is that when a person wants to achieve peace, he cannot exactly stand still in place, the person has to go back a little bit has to go backwards, one has to sometimes be a little more flexible in their positions, in order to make peace”, Metzger stated.
Rabbi Eliahu Birnbaum, judge of the Rabbinical Court of Israel, was special guest to one of the Expert’s workshops with the presentation "Values of Judaism for a dignified life".
The congress was held at the facilities of the American University and had a massive public attendance.

Text: Gabriela Lara
Photographs: Raquel Tillería
English Version: Patricia Mamede

Lic. Hugo Britez Ibarra ViceMinistro de Culto	Rvdo. Padre Jose Larroza Secretario de la Coordinación Nacional de Pastoral Educativa Azorbispado de Asuncion
Wamon Rao Dada Paradevananda - Sociedad Yoga Ananda Marga-India
Rabino Pablo Iugt de la Union Hebraica del Paraguay	El Dr. William Soto participó con la conferencia magistral  “Bolsa de valores”
Mesa de panelistas - Humberto Rubin-Eliahu Birbaum-Gran Rabino-Vice Ministro Lcdo Hugo Britez Inbarra-Dr William Soto-Pastor Emilio Abreu-Consul Haber - Profesor Arnaldo Guitierrez
Público asistente
Lic. Victor Hugo Argueta Bernal Miembro de la Asamblea Espiritual de Asunción	Parte del público asistente
Ing. Angel Recalde vice presidente de la Camara Paraguaya de Hidrocarburos	Inscripción al público

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