Dialogue Series in Uruguay Emphasizes the Importance of Enduring Values for Societies in Transition

Eric Olsen
July 31, 2014

The Global Peace Foundation, in partnership with the Leadership Conference of Uruguay (LCU), the Latin American Presidential Mission, Esquipulas Foundation and the Paraguay Institute for the Development of Thought (IDPPS) convened a dialogue series entitled, “Enduring Values in a Society in Transformation” on June 10 at the newly opened Fourth Tower of the World Trade Center in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The June 10 dialogue series touched on the importance of enduring principles and values as the foundation for progress and development. Over 140 participants, including ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice, legislators, mass media owners, religious leaders, leaders of political parties, non-government organizations, and education, attended.

Uruguay will hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the end of this year. Dialogues such as the one held in Uruguay are an important step when considering economic and political development.

Mr. Jorge Guldenzoph, President of the Leadership Conference of Uruguay and Global Peace Foundation Uruguay, opened the meeting with a reference to historian Arnold Toynbee’s observation that moral decline has preceded the fall of civilizations. He called for a revival of spiritual values in order to rebuild the social fabric.

“Long lasting change involving social development can only stem from principles and ethical and moral values which are meaningful in the past, still are at present and will be in the future.”

Speakers included the former president of Uruguay and founding member of the Latin America Presidential Mission, Dr. Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera. He reflected on the founding document of the Latin American Presidential Mission, the Asuncion Declaration, which expressed a common commitment “to work – beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic differences – for the unity of Latin America as a continent of peace and future that can shine light in a world filled with uncertainties and confusion.”

Other speakers included Dr. Leonard Guzman, former Minister of Education and Culture; Dr. Alberto Scavarelli, former Deputy Chief of Staff; Nelson Pilosof former Deputy and Senator and professor of philosophy and president of the World Trade Center; and Ruperto Long, former Senator and Minister of the Court of Auditors.

Speakers and participants emphasized the importance of shared values as fundamental to the stability of families, educational institutions, society and economic and political systems. “Long lasting change involving social development can only stem from principles and ethical and moral values which are meaningful in the past, still are at present and will be in the future,” one participant reflected.

The Global Peace Foundation has actively partnered with the Leadership Conference of Uruguay and the Latin American Presidential Mission in Uruguay. Last year, a high-level forum was hosted in August, entitled “Democracy, Rule of Law and Judicial Power.” The forum convened current and former heads of state, human rights experts, educators and business leaders to address critical issues of the Latin American region such as the autonomy of the judiciary; challenges to democratic institutions, emerging markets, regional security, and youth culture. The Latin American Presidential Mission also hosted a special mentoring session for young leaders.

The Latin American Presidential Mission has reached important milestones towards defining universal principles that transcend national, religious and cultural differences as the foundation of greater regional integration and cooperation, crucial steps to prepare for the projected economic growth of the region.

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