Integral Human Development

On the Catholic website Here/Now an article from the Jesuit Human Rights Solidarity Research Center was reproduced for the readers on a series on Integral Human Development; this is a summary of some of the ideas.

'Integral human development is social teaching of the Catholic Church that explores the conditions and prospects for development that will enable all human beings to 'live more humanely'. 

Humans are complex and diverse. Whole human development seeks to use this complexity as a measure of 'human dignity' preparing for material and spiritual life that will enable growth into full, lively human beings. 

 

'Living better' is clearly different from 'having more'. This includes the ability to participate freely in growth, sustainability of the ecological environment, promotion of human rights and justice, values ​​of spirituality, and responsible actions, including honesty. 

 

Integral human development is a universal way of thinking, understanding, and interacting with others and ourselves, and in particular a thoughtful and enduring response to the world's poverty, disease, ignorance, discrimination, exclusion, and oppression.  

 

In 2016, Pope Francis established the Ministry for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, which carries out health and relief activities that require global cooperation, including justice, peace, creation, and preservation, and is focusing more on realizing this task. 

 

A trait of an individual that is buried or unrecognized is a loss to those who possess it, but it is also a loss to all of us. So, everyone should take a closer look at each and every person around them. Integrity of human development is an attempt to clearly reveal and reveal the elements necessary for us to live a full and lively life.  

 

Contrary to popular belief, talents and abilities are a common fruit. Therefore, it is the essence of the human community to care for, support, and help others in their growth.  

 

Louis-Joseph Lebre, who first proposed the concept of integrated human development, said that 'dignity needs' are essential for everyone to make this possible. 'Needs' are basic conditions we must have to live, such as food, work, and housing. If these conditions are not met, people will suffer excruciatingly from poverty and inequality.

 

Louis-Joseph Lebre (1897-1966) was a French Dominican priest; economist and social activist whose life has been a life of research and struggle for justice. He laid the theoretical foundations for 'integral human development', an important part of Catholic social teaching. He started the labor movement in Saint-Malo, France, in the 1930s with fishing workers suffering from the economic crisis, and in Latin America, he was involved in research and popular movements. 

 

With his experience and research at this time, he proposed a new type of development model, the 'human economy. An "economy that serves people" is "an economy in which as many people as possible can live to the fullest". He is the principal author of Paul VI's Encyclical 'The Development of Peoples' (1967) and was also a major influence on John Paul II's Encyclical 'Social Concern' (1987) and Benedict XVI's Encyclical 'Love in the Truth' (2007).

 

Lebré added life with dignity to this which includes, for example, 'space'. You need space to rest, socialize with colleagues, and close the door at other times to think and pray. To create yourself and live a healthy life with self-esteem, you must have space. 

 

This space is a material form, but its role is more than an object. Space in this sense is not desirable, but essential. So it is not a 'desire for dignity' but a 'need' for dignity. The dignity-oriented perspective teaches that not only basic needs such as housing and food, but also the inner life and inner realm of a person are essential to human growth. This inner realm is traditionally called the soul, but the content refers to the inner power that animates and shapes human beings. 

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the soul "the most intimate and valuable spiritual source" of man and the image of man created by God himself. When understood from the soul's point of view, we see that human dignity is an indicator of the depth and mystery of humanity. Human dignity means that it firmly affirms the uniqueness of human beings and human existence, and extends the horizon of humanity beyond the limits of time and body. 

 

Lebré opened a path that not only satisfies basic needs but also awakens human needs from within, leading to integrated growth and development. To live a life full of dignity, we must live from within. Restoring a broken society requires internal renewal, and resisting temptations. Human growth must be holistic and integrated. 

 

The pandemic era we passed through has been harsh and cruel for most of the people except the rich few. The failure of global leadership, especially with privilege and power, makes it clear what kind of people we shouldn't be. Those who showed healing leadership were health care workers, caregivers, cleaning and delivery workers. People who have neither ability nor responsibility should no longer be allowed to lead the community. Showtime is over and we can no longer go back to the pre-pandemic. Before us, are questions about how do we adapt and find happiness in a new age of no return.