PHISOLAMA acknowledges the significance of childhood -
humanity's early phase of vulnerable innocence, when the personal foundation is
created which will support an entire lifetime. PHISOLAMA recognizes the crucial
process that children experience as they are integrated with the larger society
and recognizes that, without a voice, without a vote, children are utterly
dependent upon adult capability and good will. On the behalf of children
everywhere in the world, the PHISOLAMA will strive to promote their unique full
rights, to advance their quality of life, and to uphold their universal
sacredness. The future of civilization is made manifest in them, "the new
lifeblood of the body, which is community."
As a premise to our activities, we acknowledge the natural
bond between the parents and their child, prevailing as parental right,
necessary duty, and one of the greatest joys of life. In the case of the
progenitor(s) being unavailable (for reasons such as: incarceration, separation,
or death), there is an equivalent responsibility for the primary caregiver or
guardian, and the local community. We will promote programs that enable our
collaboration with parents or guardians of every amenable persuasion and
culture, in order to assist and empower their means of supporting the children.
We are interested in obtaining a holistic comprehension of the various
child-raising traditions for our further research into the human condition.
Moreover, we seek to explore new approaches of harmonizing family values with
society values, via specific intentional community projects. Our goal is to
actualize an improved design for society, which encourages an increase of
interaction between generations and is more conscientious of children's needs.
The rights & welfare of children are of concern,
particularly those of the youngest age (from birth until adolescence), when they
are less able to express their own rights. We acknowledge that these rights are
indeed the same rights which adults have accorded for humanity, with the proviso
that they are "in dormancy" until activated. The "activation" occurs through
normal growth and maturation, although individual timing and sequence varies
widely, depending upon culture and other factors. From the beginning, the most
important right is for "life itself" (basic survival), relevant to the whole
issue of welfare. We will coordinate with existing organizations to develop
innovative programs that protect and ensure the adequate care of children,
especially those in impoverished regions. Victory over the widespread problem of
hunger and starvation will be a major focus. The adequate care consists of
1)the PHYSICAL needs (clean air &
water supply; nourishing foods - locally grown, fresh, and organic, cf. ECOLOGY;
clothing; shelter; proper hygiene; preventative health practice; proper sewage
treatment; and other required systems) and of
2) the EMOTIONAL needs (essentially revolving around
the exchange of affection, attention, and LOVE).
We envision a safe and nurturing environment to provide subsequent generations
with the optimal start to life in the new civilization.
We shall strive to incorporate into children's development
the means to impart to them a sense of the importance of maintaining a healthy
lifestyle through their earliest years into adulthood.
The transference of knowledge has special characteristics
whenever children are involved. To a child, learning is synonymous with playing.
Modern, institutionalized, competitive schooling has in so many ways denied and
forsaken the spontaneous enthusiasm of the teaching/learning celebration. For
this reason, we aim to synthesize a child-centered form of education, to be
derived from the many progressive methodologies of diverse cultures and
traditions. Our educational renewal will strive to maintain a balance between
hi-tech and low-tech systems; one project may be a "junior" PHISOLAMA. Internet
forum, while another may be a down-to-earth, flower garden. We are committed to
sponsoring a global network of activities that stimulate the creativity of
children and encourage their positive development as living, thinking
individuals. We will search far and wide to assemble a team of educators who are
able to distinguish and cultivate the innate talents of genius. Within each
child, there is a unique gift that can be discovered through the facilitation of
loving guidance.
We are optimistic that the Earth is capable of supporting
vast numbers of human inhabitants, within the limits imposed by a healthy global
environment. However, we have deduced that the present reality is far from ideal
and a strategy of sustainable development is needed. By observation of
metropolitan conditions and widespread environmental damage, we infer that
population distribution and demographics are interconnected factors of much
consequence. Our far-reaching vision for the redesign of society includes plans
for eco-village development and cooperative living arrangements. The
construction of our prototypes will provide actual stepping-stones on the way to
a new civilization, free of detrimental crowding and adverse effect upon Nature.
With regards to the birth rate, we recognize that the phenomenon of reproduction
is more in the hands (and wombs) of child-bearers, so it exists as a pertinent
women's issue. Conversely, we will investigate the extent to which men should be
held accountable through biological obligation. We will coordinate with other
organizations to educate young adults about the ethical implications and basic
responsibilities of bringing a child into the world. The education will comprise
the diversity of options, such as: contraception, abstinence, natural rhythm
method, non-intercourse sex, focus on self-development, premarital counseling,
adoption, even the wise consideration of "waiting". We are committed to
alleviating the tragic situation of the millions who are blundering into
parenthood without a feasible plan. Our ultimate stance in these matters is to
respect individual choices of free will.
From the Wisdom of our collective experience, from the
nurturing urge in our Heart of Love, let us serve to create that ideal world, to
give unto the next generations, what we would have given unto ourselves when we
were children.