Bridges Ubuntu Program

PROGRAM

www.ubuntubridges.org

A program implemented by Instituto Padre Antรณnio Vieira - IPAV

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The Ubuntu method is common to the entirety of the Ubuntu Bridges projects. The concept "I am because you are / I can only be a Person through other people, is its most common definition. In this method, five main dimensions are highlighted: self-knowledge, self-confidence, resilience, empathy and service.

These dimensions constitute an "ethics of care" – caring for oneself, others, the community, nature, the planet – that should inspire everyone.

Through Self-knowledge, participants are meant to deepen their self-awareness, to understand the inner dynamics of their personality, to understand their emotions and also their intellectual and relational capacities. In this way, they can identify their strengths and weaknesses, focus on their personal development, their socio-emotional balance and maximize their talent at the service of the community.

Through the development of Self-confidence, each participant will trust in his/her abilities, making himself/herself an actor of positive change, building on strengths and meaningful life experiences. The participant is challenged to refuse the role of "victim," and to become the author of his/her own story. Thus, it is hoped that each participant will become "the change they want to see in the world" and, as the poet says "the master of my fate, the captain of my soul."

Resilience is an asset that many participants already possess, given their ability to successfully deal with adversity in their own lives. It is important, however, to constantly strengthen this ability to transform difficulties into opportunities by refusing fatalistic or resigned attitudes, as well as by applying their energy and will in managing the obstacles they encounter.

By developing Empathy, through the increasing ability to see and to understand the world through the perspective of Others, by feeling with and through them, participants become capable of decentering and make themselves available to interact with the whole human family. Thus they will become co-responsible for each and every one ("Nothing that is human is strange to me") and will better understand the essence of Ubuntu, as we become more human each time we allow ourselves to be completed by Others.

Finally, the Ubuntu method is enshrined in Service, understood as a spirit and a way of being in the world. Through Service, the Leader leads when necessary and appropriate (servant leadership), he/she transforms himself/herself and transforms the world around him/her, while summoning all the other dimensions of the method: he/her knows himself/herself, trusts that he/her has talents and abilities, looks for opportunities in adversity, feels and understands with the Other... and serves for the promotion and restoration of human dignity.

What is it?

Ubuntu Method

The aim of the Ubuntu Bridges program is to promote and to restore human dignity, in situations in which it has been wounded or diminished, by empowering servant leaders turning experiences and contexts of injustice and social exclusion into experiences of justice and social inclusion, reinforcing social cohesion and a sense of belonging.

Through the Ubuntu method, great significance is given to the role models, who are, first of all, many of the participants in the different projects whose examples and life stories are a source of inspiration.

Also, participants in previous editions of the Ubuntu Leaders Academy, who take on the role of facilitators of subsequent editions, are also reference models.

World-renowned leaders and their respective historical contexts, referenced as Ubuntu examples, namely Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Desmond Tutu, Malala Yousafzai and Aristides de Sousa Mendes are studied. Likewise, invited guest speakers sharing their personal testimony and providing our trainees with examples of civic commitment, social entrepreneurship and the promotion of human dignity, are a regular presence at the Academy.

The metaphor of the "bridge builder" or the "pontiff" best summarizes this program.

Evidence shows that violations to human dignity often result in humiliation, resentment, fragmentation and violence, therefore, we seek the reversing of these situations, through people and organizations that promote the restoration of dignity, respecting the values of truth, of justice and of reconciliation. The empowerment of these people as servant leaders and pontiffs, particularly those who are targets of exclusion, is at the core of the desired social transformation we envisage. The Ubuntu Bridges program uses non-formal education strategies; however, this method is being developed to also address formal education contexts.

Other features of the Ubuntu method, namely the facilitation of selected group dynamics, allow for a ludic-pedagogical approach to reflect on the proposed topics. Films, documentaries, music and storytelling are also powerful tools to promote the debate around the main training themes. Visits and hands-on experiences facilitate inductive learning, with a high-impact on the participants.

Ubuntu Leaders Academy

Ubuntu Lives

The UBUNTU LEADERS ACADEMY began by targeting servant leaders among people from environments of social exclusion namely the descendants of immigrants living in vulnerable neighborhoods. It was gradually extended to young locals in similar circumstances and for young people who, although not coming from these contexts, intended to intervene in them. Four editions were developed in Portugal, and one in Guinea-Bissau facilitated with the necessary adaptations.

More than empowering recipients of skills training, we seek to work with agents engaged in the promotion and restoration of human dignity, thus highlighting the value of each person's life experience. The essential core of the UBUNTU LIVES - personal storytelling project, is to become aware and to give meaning to the life story of each participant, highlighting their abilities in regards to self-knowledge, resilience and empathy, as well as their service to the community. Currently the project is being developed in schools, homes for children and youth, educational and community centers.

Ubuntu Rugby Social inclusion through sports using the Ubuntu method, particularly through rugby, has inspired the UBUNTU RUGBY ACADEMY, targeting young people from vulnerable social environments mobilized to servant leadership.

Ubuntu Social Incubator

Ubuntu Global Network

The UBUNTU SOCIAL INCUBATOR was launched in Lisbon, Porto and Bissau. Its aim is to assist in the work of Ubuntu servant leaders, through the development of social entrepreneurship projects, facilitating not only responses to unresolved social needs, but also enhancing project design and management capacities. By promoting collaboration, sharing of experiences, training and mentoring of these leaders, it supports and encourages them in their mission of service in their respective communities.

The Ubuntu philosophy, developed through this method, although having its roots in Africa has universal application through the UBUNTU GLOBAL NETWORK, a platform created for the dialogue among dierent religions, ethnic, social and cultural groups. As an informal collaborative network of institutions, inspired by Ubuntu projects and people, directly or indirectly by the Ubuntu spirit, it aims to share experiences and tools and develop joint projects.

Ubuntu Post-Graduation Being aware of the importance in disseminating the strategic Ubuntu vision, namely within educational communities, we aim to develop a post- graduate certiďŹ cate course on "INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION: UBUNTU FOR EDUCATORS", in partnership with Higher Education institutions.

CONTACTS Lisbon Travessa das Pedras Negras, 1 - 4.ยบ 1100-404 Lisboa, Portugal Tel.: (+351) 218 854 730 E-mail: geral@pontesubuntu.org Porto Praรงa Doutor Francisco Sรก Carneiro, 271, Galerias Dt.ยบ 4200-314 Porto (Portugal) Tel: (+351) 223 322 130 E-mail: geral@pontesubuntu.org Guinea-Bissau Rua Justino Lopes, 80 Bissau, Guinea-Bissau Tel.: (+245) 955 156 162 / (+245) 966 808 833 geral@academiaubuntuguinebissau.org