AMERICA/ECUADOR ­ Document on freedom of education, religious freedom, social justice, respect for life, and marriage and the family presented at the Constitutive Assembly

Quito (Agenzia Fides) ­ According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides,
authorities from the Ecuadorian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and leaders of
Corporations, Confederations, and Councils for education met in a
visit to the President of the Constitutive Assembly, Mr. Alberto Acosta, in
order to present him with a document on freedom of education, religious
freedom, social justice, respect for life, and marriage and the family,
values that protect human dignity and improve the quality of life among
citizens.
Special emphasis was given to the subject of education, as it effects
society as a whole. According to Archbishop Jose Mario Ruiz Navas,
Archbishop emeritus of Portoviejo, with the desire to collaborate and not
cause confrontation, the analysis that has been presented to the members of
the Assembly has been based on a study proposed by Acuerdo Pais, that was
published months ago in a national periodical. Various observations were
gathered from this proposed study, seeking an improvement in the progress of
society as a whole, since in democracy the governors should take into
account the identity of those whom he represents.
The Commission that visited the Assembly bases its existence upon the Declaration of
the World Conference on Education for All (UN, Jomtien, 1990), that “calls for
harmony among governmental and non-governmental organizations, the private
sector, local community, religious groups, and families,” thus implying a responsibility on behalf of all the social sectors. The President of the Assembly was in agreement on many of the themes discussed in the meeting, such as the indifference towards education on an institutional level, the financing that should be provided for education on all levels and the need for a careful follow-up of the education system. He also promised to make his own analysis of the statement and distribute copies of the proposal to each one of the assembly members, that they too may reflect on it, as it is the duty of an Assembly that represents Ecuadorians. He also offered to speak with the President of Ecuador, that he may personally meet with this influential group of citizens and be directly informed of the proposal himself.
This widely extended group of Ecuadorians is dedicated to the promotion of public, and especially private, education and values related to human dignity. The group hopes that the Assembly may incorporate their reflections in the Constitutional reforms. The organization will be meeting with various governmental representatives and will be collecting signatures in support of this important proposal. (RG) (Agenzia
Fides 10/4/2008; righe 35, parole 410)