Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC): A constituent process for the future of Chile
In an opinion column published by the newspaper El Mercurio, the rector of the Catholic University, Ignacio Sánchez, calls for dialogue, agreements and a broad view to prevail over divisions in the current constituent process. It is also a desire expressed through the “We have to talk about Chile” initiative. “When we look at what is happening in the world with climate change, with the pandemic, with the current war and with many of the great crises, we see that the only path for our time is dialogue and collaboration,” he maintains.
“Crucial days and weeks are coming in the work being carried out by the Constitutional Convention. A period in which dialogue, agreements and a broad and inclusive view of the country’s needs must prevail over divisions.
According to the university work of the academic communities, it seems relevant to deliver a vision that is based on the active participation that we have promoted through the initiative “We have to talk about Chile”, which has already served two years of contributing to knowing the reality and what that our inhabitants feel and dream.
When we observe what is happening in the world with climate change, with the pandemic, with the current armed conflict and with many of the great crises, we see that the only path for our time is dialogue and collaboration, which allows us to produce stabilizing changes. of people’s lives. Especially the collaboration with those who think differently, with those who are a minority and who need to be heard. This is the most difficult task of the Convention, but, at the same time, the most necessary.
“The collaboration with those who think differently, with those who are in the minority and who need to be heard is the most difficult task of the Convention, but, at the same time, the most necessary” – UC Rector Ignacio Sánchez.
At the beginning of our human species, people sought survival in their groups, in their families and in different groups. Currently, communications and large institutions have allowed us to link up between groups that are very different in origins, cultures and ideas. And that is the great challenge of our time and also the great opportunity.
During the last two years, we have carried out more than 60 thousand hours of citizen participation. In each of these spaces, we have managed to collect the diversity of perspectives and richness that arises when we can talk and consolidate common spaces for meeting and building the future. And in these activities, what stands out the most is the will to reach consensus and move forward in harmony.
The same measurements that we make realize that, unfortunately, this spirit is not being perceived in the current constituent process. It is in response to all these voices that we make a transversal call in favor of the work led by the Constitutional Convention being able to promote the broadest social adherence. We have witnessed the effort and time that the conventional ones are giving to the writing of the text. However, more dialogue is required, welcoming all views and having a consensus that allows this text to really be the expression of a common home. Likewise, we share that the Chile that is being written will not only remain on paper, but also in the spirit in which this process is lived and closed.
“We have witnessed the effort and time that the conventional are giving to the writing of the text. However, more dialogue is required, welcoming all views and having a consensus that allows this text to really be the expression of a common home” .
At this stage, it is very important to consider that, despite the different ideas, there must be complementarity, and beyond the very legitimate ideologies and beliefs of each person, there must be a greater desire for respect for the person, the common good and the public policies that support it in the coming decades. Division and exclusion have been seen, which cannot continue. The future of our country and the construction of a more humane, fair and equitable society depends largely on this shared effort.
“Division and exclusion have been seen, which cannot continue. The future of our country and the construction of a more humane, just and equitable society depend largely on this shared effort.”
This is a unique instance in our history. We trust that the Convention will accept the call of the majority of the population for agreements and consensus that reflect the greater diversity and representation of those who inhabit this territory. Coexistence in this diversity is our great strength to overcome the great challenges that lie ahead. And, to achieve this, it is crucial to provide certainty to a citizenry that initially trusted in this new path for Chile for the most part.”
“We trust that the Convention will accept the call of the majority of the population for agreements and consensus that reflect the greatest diversity and representation of those who inhabit this territory.”