138 Ethics, citizenship and social responsibility: permanent values “To serve with excellence through education, forming ethical, solidary and competent citizens”. Fundação de Rotarianos de São Paulo’s Mission statement, defined at the end of the 20th century, clearly reflects the objectives of its actions, while bolstering an approach to teaching that has been maintained since the beginning of its activities and is a fundamental guideline for its future. Ethics and citizenship, as key values encoded in the entity’s DNA, have a place of great prominence there. Esther Carvalho’s explanation concerning the Colégio goes to all of the institutions maintained by the Fundação: “The transformations that the world goes through have not changed the Colégio’s fundamental importance for social relations and citizenship in terms of education. No other institution is capable of that. We must find ways to deal with advances and changes, while preserving the universal values that we stand for and key rules of coexistence among people.” The intent is to do much more than offering students an excellent education in terms of knowledge. The goal is to stimulate and equip them to play a protagonist role — as ethical, compassionate and competent citizens— in the indispensable journey towards a better world. This is the meaning of the Fundação’s Mission and Values (shown in this page), which, as Eduardo Pimentel, president of the Board of Directors (1997-2013), points out, rather than being just on paper, are a reality. “We must prepare the youth for the world they’re going to live in,” he says. A very significant example of the results of the work done in this area is Projeto Reaja (the acronym in Portuguese for reflection, balance and action towards the environment). It is an initiative by students who were in the 3rd year of high-school at Rio Branco in 2007, which extends far beyond the school, together with the projects carried out by younger students, to raising awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and advocating new habits and sustainable, responsible practices. That same logic —based on the values upheld by the Fundação— is present in numerous other actions, such as the “A Different Day” project created in 2006 at Faculdades Integradas Rio Branco. It is an important social and environmental responsibility action that mobilizes students, former students, teachers and employees of all Rio Branco Institutions, all united to fulfill the wish for a better society. In a strong spirit of volunteering and exercising citizenship, Values of Fundação de Rotarianos de São Paulo ETHICS: Observe the highest ethical principles and standards showing moral solidity, honesty and integrity. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Exercise citizenship by contributing through Education with the development of Society and respect towards environment. HUMAN BEING: Provide a fair treatment to everyone, valuing teamwork, stimulating an environment for learning, development, respect, collaboration, and self-esteem. MANAGEMENT: Value and follow the principles of Transparency, Fairness, Accountability, and Corporate Responsibility. QUALITY: Stimulate innovation and creativity, in a planned and integrated manner, focusing on quality and results, providing the company’s perenniality. participants benefit the community by supporting social causes. That encouragement for its students to exercise citizenship is closely related to a point that is much appreciated by the Fundação: transformation through education, which means not only educating better people, but also creating opportunities for them to realize their full potential. At the same time, that citizenship advancement posture is deeply rooted in the day-to-day lives of the Fundação’s officials and employees, which dedicate their best efforts to ensuring that the work done by the institution will produce the best results and have an increasingly high impact. In this regard, it is befitting to name the example, amongst countless others, of Dino Samaja, director of the Fundação between 2010 and 2013, who was honored in early 2016 for his relentless support for Centro de Educação para Surdos Rio Branco and his work for the cause of the deaf. He was presented with the title of CES Ambassador, and a photo of him was placed on the location’s Generosity Tree, which is intended to demonstrate recognition
Livro Comemorativo dos 70 anos da Fundação de Rotarianos de São Paulo - Uma história de ideias e ideais
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