We, the students of the Villa de VĂcar Secondary and High School, having studied, reflected and discussed on the principles contained in the CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
agree the following STATEMENT AND COMMITMENTS: _________________________________________________________________ DIGNITY We state that human dignity is inviolable, so it must be respected. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Europen Union fosters respect for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, among others, as well as the right to life, the abolishment of death penalty being a sample of this right. Yet we are aware that these principles are not respected in many areas of the world where, for instance, death penalty is still practiced. Therefore we shall commit ourselves to treat everyone with justice, equality and dignity, specially when we hold leadership roles, not to humiliate anyone but to prevent and denounce bullying. FREEDOMS We state that we have confirmed that some rights and freedoms contained in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU are not strictly implemented in every country of the Union, as, for instance, the right to asylum, the right to freedom of thinking, conscience or expression, or the right to get married and establish a family for some groups. Therefore we shall commit ourselves not to limit other people freedoms, but to promote them, as well as to denounce situations where these rights and freedoms are not respected. EQUALITY We state that, in spite of the fact that the principle of equality among human beings is essencial, yet this principle is not practiced for every group in society. This is specially clear regarding the different treatment for men and women, as, for instance, in the different salary for men and women holding similar positions, the different amount of time that men and women devote to home tasks, and the few top positions available for women both in companies and political charges. Therefore we shall commit ourselves to denounce every unfair situation where women's labour is damaged, to educate our children in an evironment of equality and respect among men and women and to share out home tasks among all members of
our household. SOLIDARITY We state that solidarity is very important as it is at the foundations of many other human values, as friendship, empathy, loyalty and honesty; and moreover it is the base for peace and mutual understanding. Therefore we shall commit ourselves to organize a student's union to spread information and deliver brochures, in order to help the European rights be known, as well as mobilise ourselves when these rights are not practiced or respected; to collect clothes, books, toys and other items, and organize a flee market whose benefits will be allocated to fight against poverty and social exclusion; and to hold a football match and a show in our town whose benefits will be donated to vulnerable families or to NGO's. Moreover, we shall commit ourselves to work hard for solidarity in our every day life, opening doors for elderly people, yielding seats in public transports for pregnant women and elderly or disabled people; or helping the improvement of coexistence in the classroom. CITIZENSHIP We state that, as European citizens, we value positively the free movement of people as it allows us to travel and know many different countries without any need of passport or visa, increasing the possibilities for education, training and employment across Europe. The European citinzenship doesn't erase our nationalities but respect diversity in all ways. Therefore we shall commit ourselves to live out the European citizenship in all the possibilities it brings and to foster that this right is provided to every person who shares the European ground. JUSTICE We state that the right to be deemed innocent until the opposite is proved, deserve a fair trial, get penalties porporcional to the criminal offences, and not to be taken to court or be punished twice for the same criminal offences are basic principles of justice. Therefore we shall commit ourselves to objectively and impartially testify when called to court, be honest and respect judicial decisions, and not to judge anyone without evidences. In VĂcar, January 23rd 2017