What do we mean by sustainable and just development?
Sustainable and just development can be defined as development that aims to satisfy the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation. Sustainable and just development requires that we take greater responsibility for managing what has been entrusted to us by humankind or the Creator, i.e. natural resources. The future of the next generation depends on how we manage the present.
What are the practical challenges of sustainable and just development at the local level?
Sustainable and fair development challenges occur at different levels: social, political, economic, administrative and cultural.
At the social level, the pursuit of self-interest is a tool that could potentially destroy sustainable and fair development. Today’s world values individual success to the detriment of community development. We need people who care about sustainable and just development, people who are qualified to prevent the logic of personal survival from sabotaging the hopes of economic prosperity for every man and every woman.
At the political level, the ineffectiveness of certain people in strategic positions in society undermines the capacities of the state or private institutions. It fosters a climate in which these leaders make short-term decisions or decisions to enrich themselves without considering the long-term economic consequences for future generations. Therefore, the economic effects of this type of behaviour or government can be measured by the waste of available resources and the discouragement of productive investment.
From our observations, it is clear that the power of any holder of a parcel of public authority, from the lowest officer to the minister, tends to be managed in such a way as to maximise public and private profit from their position of authority and the resources associated with it. We are often bogged down by our customs and moral values, which stand in the way of certain decisions favouring fair and sustainable development.
Are there any government initiatives in your pastoral area that encourage sustainable and just development at the grassroots level?
In Rwanda, any project of a social nature that aims to raise the population’s standard of living is appreciated and supported by the government, making it easier to obtain building permits for social works and encouragement from the government authorities for all projects of a social nature. For example, I once received the authorities from the municipal council in my office. Referring to our Lavigerie Mission Centre, they told me: “Father, you love our country and the Rwandan people beyond measure because no one would carry out such a project without loving the country.” There is collaboration between the local authorities in this area.
What can we do, as witnesses to the Gospel, to promote sustainable and just development at the local level?
Sustainable and just development is in line with the Gospel. This is why our predecessors in the mission, upon their arrival in a particular place for evangelisation, would automatically follow up with social works, such as the construction of schools, health centres and vocational training centres, once they had established the parish church. We are invited not to lose sight of this aspect of human development.
How can the Gospel encourage sustainable and just development at the local level?
Authentic Christian evangelisation must be truly liberating if the Church’s action is to remain true and faithful to the Gospel. We must bear witness to our faith in the life of society through charitable activities: development projects promoting social justice. In this sense, Saint Irenaeus stated that the glory of God is man fully alive. Our concern for heavenly realities and our search for the Kingdom should not make us forget that we must live our humanity to the fullest on this earth.
The Gospel recommends fraternal sharing in the community. If we want to live with others, we must be concerned about them. Caring for the needy and helping each other as and when needed, involves material, psychological, family, and social needs. The Gospel allows us to view situations as historical moments to be lived under God’s watchful eye. Each situation has its unique place in human history, which can lead to redemption when we seize the opportunity to make our talents bear fruit in the service of the community for sustainable and just development or sin when we do nothing to change the environment in which we live.
This is how Jesus sees his mission. There is more to God’s plan for mankind than charitable behaviour. What God expects of us is more than a conversion of hearts; a different way of life must necessarily come into play: it is the holistic development of the human being. Saint John Paul II said, ‘We must change hearts, but we must also eliminate the structures of sin, those social mechanisms that maintain injustice’ (cf. SRS no. 36).
Our actions must be the leaven in the world in the light of the Gospel. We must strive to find evangelical responses to today’s social problems. Our credibility is at stake!
The task of human development must, therefore, be seen as an integral dimension of our pastoral work. This ought to be our option. Our evangelisation project should be a project of human development, integral humanisation, and thorough transformation of people and their environment. For instance, some confreres, when we talk about founding schools or centres for human promotion, are quick to say no, it isn’t our charism, ignoring the fact that the charism must be adapted to the realities of the present day.
It is in this sense that our 29th General Chapter chose as its theme: ‘Mission as Prophetic Witness’; prophetic witness consists precisely in reading and understanding the realities of our times where we live and where we are sent, and in providing concrete solutions for holistic development according to the ‘see, judge and act’ method.
Proposed pastoral actions for sustainable and just development
- Carry out development projects that benefit the people: projects we can manage ourselves to reduce the risk of failure.
- Train young people to find work so that they can lead a dignified life.
- Encourage grassroots Christian communities to take charge of social problems in their communities.
- Set up profitable projects for our parishes (construction of large event centres, car parks where possible, etc.).
- Set up committees to reflect on the social problems hindering just and sustainable development.
- Encourage people to act and organise themselves autonomously, to break down the mentality if it is an obstacle, knowing that it is God’s will.
- Collaborate with the authorities to resolve unjust situations.
By: Simplice Traore, M.Afr.