Message-ID: <35BE1BE4.BA318149@m.cc.utah.edu> Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 12:43:48 -0600 From: James Mayfield <mailto:james.mayfield@m.cc.utah.edu> Subject: Values among villagers To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
> You may find this interesting, if so, past it along
Over the past year, a number of village communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin American were invited to help develop a list of values, principles, and ideals that they would like to see established in their own communities. The list at this point is preliminary, but still illustrative of what villagers are thinking. People who see this list are encouraged to share this list with villagers in as many different settings as possible, to identify which of the list of 10 they can agree with, which they would change, and any others that they would like to add to this list. What has been especially interesting is to watch villagers discuss these ten values, watch how they translate them into their own languages, and how moving it is to see a consensus gradually emerge as they identify, reflect on and consider these values. I would be delighted if those of you who are working at the village level would test these values, and share with me what you discover. As you send your ideas, suggestions, and observations to me, I will integrate them and share the results with anyone who is interested.
> James B. Mayfield, Chairman, CHOICE
>
> A Village Peasant's Declaration of Hope
> 10 Commitments For A Better Life
>
> I will encourage
>
> 1. Discipline to improve myself by being more consistent
> and responsible in my own personal behavior.
> 2. Hard Work to improve my family by being more dedicated
> to meet the economic, social, and cultural needs of my family.
> 3. Unity to improve my neighborhood by being more willing to help
> my friends and neighbors to succeed in their lives.
> 4. Courage to improve my area of activity by being more willing to
> try
> things that can expand and enrich our lives.
> 5. Cooperation to strengthen my community by being more aware of
> opportunities
> to uplift, enrich and improve the quality of our lives.
>
> I will discourage
>
> 6. All forms of dependency that cause increased poverty and personal
> degradation,
> such as child marriages and excessive dowries, drunkenness, gambling,
> and drug use, and prostitution and family abuse
> 7. All forms of violence, brutality and injury that cause physical or
> emotional
> distress, harm, pain or death.
> 8. All forms of dishonesty and corruption that cause loss of
> personal,
> family and community resources.
> 9. All forms of jealousy, intolerance, unkindness and criticism
> that cause social divisions and community conflict.
> 10. All forms of injustice and exploitation that keep our
> community poor and disadvantaged.
>
> James B. Mayfield
> Chairman of the Board, CHOICE