In commemoration of Human Rights Day, DLSU signed a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) today, December 10, on Zoom to launch a Catholic Social Teaching-based formation program.
Vice President for Lasallian Mission Fritzie Ian De Vera opened the ceremony by stressing the importance of “reaffirming our commitment in protecting and respecting the rights of every individual.”
Online formation program
The partnership is set to create an online certificate course on human rights based on Catholic Social Teachings (CST) that can be adopted by DLSU and other Roman Catholic universities. The course will be made available on CHR’s e-learning platform, Online Human Rights Academy. “Together we will work towards building a culture of human rights,” commented CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit.
Atty. Tom Temprosa, Director IV of the Human Rights Education and Promotion Office, shared that the Online Human Rights Academy will offer a certificate course on CST and Human Rights. Meanwhile, the establishment of DLSU’s Human Rights Education Center is said to provide “extension, research, and education on Human Rights”.
Fulfillment through partnerships
“We hope that the Catholic Social Teachings and curriculum, through the various courses, will enable our students to have the process of critical reflection and will be moved to act accordingly and respond to the call to uplift lives, protect the environment for both peace and justice and the society,” De Vera expressed.
Citing the 1987 Philippine Constitution which mandates educational institutions to “inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights,” she emphasized that the main goal of the institutional partnership is to form a culture of human rights within schools.
Meanwhile, CHR Chair Chito Gascon looks at the agreement with DLSU as a stepping stone to bring together other universities in teaching human rights, recognizing University President Br. Ray Suplido FSC, as well as other DLSU Brothers, in their continuous fulfillment of human dignity through “urging the end of violence and upliftment of all, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable.”
He called on people to “push back” against violence by reaching out to “critical sectors” such as the military, police, and faith-based communities.
CHR is currently working closely with not only DLSU, but also the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, as well as the National Secretary for Social Action, to reach out to faith-based organizations in order to reach their common goal—to respect, protect, and fulfill the fundamental rights of people.
