Humanism: what does it mean?

 Bring back a humanist approach

Modern global relations are increasingly marked by force and extremism, echoing past nationalist conflicts that marginalized citizens and prioritized elite interests. Despite progress made since World War II in human rights and international law, these values are now under threat, replaced by instability, selfishness, and disregard for cooperation. A renewed humanism, emphasizing solidarity, dignity, and respect for all life, including nature and future generations, is essential to address these challenges. This humanism also calls for ethical use of technology and education fostering critical and ethical thinking to ensure a balanced and sustainable future.

Resurgence of force and extremism: Current international and national politics show a return to aggressive nationalism and elite-driven conflicts, sidelining citizens' rights and dignity.

Erosion of post-war human rights progress: The advances made through the UN and international law in the last eight decades are increasingly ignored, leading to instability and selfish interests dominating global relations.

New humanism for the future: This approach extends beyond human freedom and progress to include respect for all living beings, environmental protection, ethical resource use, and responsible AI application.

Multilateral cooperation and ethical education: Strengthening international organizations, promoting universal ethical values, and fostering critical, ethical education are vital to prevent civilizational decline and ensure sustainable coexistence.

A plane trip in the new normal

Yesterday, I took the plane for the first time in this post-Covid era. I had a compelling reason to travel.

It was a three-hour trip out of Frankfurt. And I got a couple of surprises. First, the aircraft was full. Like in the old days. It is true that everyone was wearing a mask, but every seat was taken. And this is still a time of restrictions on travelling abroad, even within the Schengen area. Second, there were all types of passengers, from young families with small kids to older couples, and everyone in between. I would have loved to ask my fellow passengers what the reason for travel was, but I had no authority to do it. I know that the airline had asked them a similar question, in very vague terms and without requiring any supporting document. Third, there was no health or temperature checking before embarkation. Just a request to keep a safe distance before passing through the boarding pass control, a request that was in contradiction with the crowding on board.

Upon arrival at the destination, there was a temperature check. And that was it. We all left the airport to go and take care of our own business.

My conclusion was that it is better to re-open the air travel soon. And, at least, check the temperature of the would-be passengers before boarding. If there are more options to travel, more flights available, there might be less crowding on each plane. This should go hand in hand with the lifting of restrictions on cross border road and train trips.

At the same time, it is important to keep repeating the recommendation for people to think twice before travelling. Many will follow such advice, I am sure.

Our daily dose of fear

In my area of the city there is one big supermarket. I go there every Thursday morning, for the weekly shopping. And sometimes, one more time, for some item that might be needed and was left out of the weekly list. During the last two or three weeks, I noticed that the number of people inside the supermarket is much smaller. Not because of any entry control, let me add. It all starts at the underground parking. Nowadays, it’s much easier to find a good spot for the car. I should add that most of those shopping on Thursday in morning are older customers, retired people. I am told they are afraid of spending time in the big shop. And today, as I was chatting over the phone with a friend, I got the confirmation that there are many people – and more so now, as the bad figures keep increasing – who are simply afraid of any contact, even a distant one, with other shopping fellows. And I said to myself that we are living in very strange times, when the simple act of moving along the wide aisles of a supermarket is seen as a dangerous exercise.  

Connecting

The social networks bring your friends back from the past and make you young again. 

After hours in Zaragosa

I took a long walk this evening. It was a pleasure to wander in the main avenues of Zaragoza, in Eastern Spain, and see so many locals just strolling around in a relaxed manner, enjoying the weather, the end of the day and the serenity of the place. Zaragoza is a large city but it keeps a strong human dimension and it is pretty affordable. That makes it, like many other cities in Spain, very attractive and relaxing. 

End of summer break

I am back from my summer break. Back from 15 days in a village in Southern Portugal. Two weeks spent among elder people as old folks make now most of the residents in rural areas. And a period to learn again the virtues of simplicity, frugality and the ability to make do with whatever is available

My wild neighbours

It is not easy to survive in the park next to my house. The wild birds have many enemies, including the crows and the neighbourhood cats, and the rabbits keep hiding from the dogs. I haven´t seen many rabbits this spring, by the way.

Even the ducks, who are always ready for a fight, have their own problems. This year, meaning now, this is the season, only one couple has been able to bring a single duckling to life.

In view of this, you can imagine my joy when I saw this morning that the moorhen – also known as the swamp hen – that had been sitting on her eggs for many weeks in the middle of pond was now proudly looking after a brood of four little chicks.

I had feared the local turtles had eaten the eggs before hatching. It did not happen. And I thought that in the end, there is always a small victory on the side of renewal.

Snowing in Brussels

Snow has arrived in Brussels today. White powder in the city is always a mess. But it is nice to see the falling of the snow. It´s winter, we need a taste of winter. My friends from Scandinavia who live in and around Brussels have been very nostalgic about the lack of snow thus far. Today, they certainly feel better and happier. The only concern is that they are all out and back in Scandinavia for the festive break. And there I am sure they have plenty of it. We will keep the little we got today for another few hours, I think. 

Near Lisbon there is plenty to visit

As I drove around the greater Lisbon area I came to the conclusion that there are still many places near the Portuguese capital that are of great interest for a visitor. They should be better talked about. Sintra and Cascais are well known. They attract a good number of foreign visitors.  But there are other places, such as Ericeira by the sea or Mafra and its convent and rural landscapes that good be better publicised. Including for their cuisine and the variety of the landscapes.

Tourism is very much about the way you talk about your region. It is also about making sure you offer quality at a reasonable price. And it is nowadays, during the off-season, about being able to catch the attention of the retirees from elsewhere. They are a very important segment of the market during the low season. Things need to be organised to cater for their interests. 

Summer matters

I am on vacation this week in the Southern Province of Portugal, known as Algarve. It is still the peak of the holiday season in this part of the world. The beach going crowd is still very busy getting tanned. People from Portugal and from other places in Northern Europe live side by side practising the same old cult of Sun worship. This is a very non-violent way of celebrating life and a certain standard of living. Many might not be able to afford it, but the fact of the matter is that it opens a large number of jobs and business opportunities. A good Summer is synonymous of good business.