Human Rights Day is celebrated annually around the world on 10 December.
Education is a basic human right that works to raise men and women out of poverty, level inequalities and ensure sustainable development…Education is one of the most powerful tools in lifting excluded children and adults out of poverty and is a steppingstone to other fundamental human rights. (https://www.unesco.org/en/education/right-education)
On 6 November 2022 JOVAT, the youth group in Atabae Timor Leste where Madeleine and Malcolm are currently on assignment, celebrated their five year anniversary. Madeleine says JOVAT are passionate about improving their lives through education. During the event students delivered speeches on various topics including education.
They described three types of education: informal, formal and non-formal. Informal education was described as “what we gain from our family where we learn about acceptable behaviour and ethics.” [Elvira, Year 10 Atabae Senior High School] whereas formal education can be understood as encompassing what is learnt from teachers at school from kindergarten through to university. Incidental learning through involvement in community groups and organisations be they sporting, religious or training was given as an example of non-formal education.
Apriana [Year 10 Atabae Senior High School] says “Education is a key of development…through education, the human can…become strong and [increase their] capacity, experience and understanding.” She went on to say that she and her friends in the youth group don’t tire of learning because education can achieve their dreams of a better future for themselves and “change the future for the nation.”
Apriana ends her speech with a quote from Nelson Mandala: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. JOVAT’s vision – Education mak sai savi ba Transormasaus (Education will transform us) – also reflects the importance of education. Elvira concluded with this visionary statement, “education has no end, no limits, we continue to keep learning. Education with stay with us from today, tomorrow and go on into our future. Education is an important factor for improvement of the world today”.
Palms Australia has been sending qualified and experienced educators on global mission assignments for over 60 years to help build and realise the dreams of students such as Apriana and Elvira. Perhaps you might consider an assignment abroad yourself.