Raise the value of human dignity how to deal with the global crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: The global debt crisis, especially in African countries, poses a major threat to economic stability and human well-being.
The President, G20 Interfaith Forum, Prof Cole Durham said, human dignity can work in finding a more effective and humane approach to solving various problems, including the debt crisis, thus fostering a more empathetic and solution-focused mindset.
“I have to say that in the G20 situation, dealing with the debt crisis is probably one of the biggest priorities. And this is not to say that we have quick answers. I think the finance ministers of all the G20 countries are struggling with this. And people are struggling especially in African countries that need a way of debt relief.
“I know we have a session coming up, by one of the leaders of the Jubilee (debt forgiveness) movement in the United States, who is linked to the Vatican, but another religious denomination. And a reminder that sometimes we have to find ways to reduce debt. And that is certainly one of the expressions that come from the religious community.
“But this is clearly one of the big problems and it is a problem that everyone faces, and no one has a complete answer,” he said in a royal dialogue session with His Majesty the Sultan of Perak conducted by Datuk Dr Afifi al-Akiti from Oxford University’s Center for Islamic Studies. in the Regional Southeast Asia Human Dignity Conference 2024 program: “Dignity For Everyone, Everywhere: Best Practices and Success Stories For Building Inclusive Societies in the capital on Tuesday.
The Director of the International Center for Law & Religious Studies, Brigham Young University, Prof. Brett Scharffs emphasized that self-esteem is not an algorithm that helps solve problems, but instead, it can serve as a guideline that helps the mind find the best solution.
“It can be used whether it’s in the debt crisis, whether it’s the treatment of refugees in refugee camps, whether it’s what we do in prisons, whether it’s how we run schools, or hospitals.
“If we look at this problem through the lens of human dignity, it will help us focus our problem solving in a rather generative way, just as it helped to solve the drafting of the UDHR. It’s not a magic pill, it’s a kind of lens and lighting that makes it possible to solve problems,” he said.
He added, in the Quran, human dignity is a gift given by God to Prophet Adam and all mankind, and when we dignify each other, we emulate God and strive to spread mercy and goodness to others.
Meanwhile, the recent wave of unrest, riots and looting in cities across the United Kingdom has sparked concern and calls for a commitment to open dialogue that is inclusive and involves all levels of society.
Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame & Human Dignity Project, Mark Hill KC said, by fostering such a culture of dialogue, society can begin to move towards a more harmonious future and promote social cohesion, focusing on the importance of community-led initiatives comprehensive.
“I heard on the BBC, a woman who lives in the city of Sunderland in the north of England, talking about the riots that happened the night before, and how there had been great shock and disruption to the community.
“But what he wanted to focus on were the hundreds if not thousands of volunteers, who had taken to the streets the next day to repair the damage, to rebuild the broken moss wall, where the mob had demolished.
“And they said, I’m doing this because as a member of the Sunderland community, I want us to be known around the world, for peace and love, and not for the outpouring of hatred.
“So it’s probably an easy answer, and it’s not meant to sound trivial, but what’s more important is that we continue to have a respectful dialogue. Because if we retreat and stop talking, we may not have a future,” he said.
