Social and Cultural Exchange Development Program

by UTROS in Philippines

Building a strong social and cultural exchange foundation is important concept for sustainable development. It play a significant role of defining direction of further development in achieving quality of life of human, nature and society. This is a bridge that could help people better understand each other as well as the world we live where we could find a harmonizing and comfortable system for humanity, Managing human and natural resources must well-grounded element for sustainable development in considering the scientific and spiritual connection.

Today, the growth and development of economic system alone could no longer satisfy to improve the quality or equality of life for human. This is reason why building sociocultural exchange foundation is significant issue nowadays.

UTROS in Philippines Inc. is built for the purpose of pacifying the diversity of knowledge about social, cultural, economic and environmental life that has to be shared with our generation. We aim to understand, appreciate, respect and unify different ideas coming from different people in order to come up to the best results in line with the vision of the organization. Because of this, we are conducting activities associated to the vision of UTROS to improve quality of life, restore humanity and promote sustainable development.

Headed by UTROS’ Founder, Mr. Joseph De Temmerman and Ms. MFP, President, a workshop had been delivered by two eminent speakers. Both of the speakers are teachers in profession which made the discussions run smoothly. The discussions were followed by activities done by the participants. The first speaker, Professor Scott Tibayan, shared his views about social sciences and its vital role in sociocultural exchange and success. As he started his talk, he went back to the basic stating that, you may be experts in your professions now or an accomplished person, we still need to go back to the basics which made him asked the meaning of social sciences. He pointed out the importance of reinforcing this view. After knowing the meaning of social sciences, he then preceded enumerating examples of it. He discussed one by one about Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Politics or Political Sciences, Philosophy, Economics, History and Environmental Governance or Environmental Studies. Professor Scott delivered his talk with interactions coming from his audience by merely asking their ideas about the topics he is discussing. He also enlightens listeners by giving appropriate answers to questions being asked. But there is an instance wherein a certain participant contradicted the opinion of Professor Scott and this just means that the discussion is running effectively. He was able to dig thoughts from his audience. Overall, Professor Scott was able to discuss all those topics understandably. The second speaker, Professor Kazem Vadafari, facilitated an activity for the participants. This also serves as the question and answer part of the workshop. The audience were asked about their belief in sociocultural exchange, their experiences with sociocultural exchange: past, today and future and the ideal foundation for social and cultural exchange. This activity gathered ideas and opinions from the participants with regards to the questions being asked, Some of the participants believe that we need to get to know other cultures in order to understand differences. It is an avenue to discover other society and cultures that may lead to tolerance or change of norms. But there must be limitation in accepting other culture and to have respectful minds about this matter. They had also stated that people learn from others having different culture, religion and geographic and socio-economic backgrounds and that we all have different experiences when it comes to sociocultural exchanges. We all have different culture, customs, beliefs, traditions, dress, images, music, food and technology. Other participants also made their thoughts about past, present and future of socio-cultural exchange. They said that past can be the basis of what we are in the present. And today must serve to think and act for the betterment of future. Ideal foundation for social and cultural exchange is also addressed by the participants. An ideal norm, belief and custom that community claims to believe. There is a difference between the ideal and real culture. Ideal culture is that society says it has and believe in while real culture that a society actually follows.

A foundation for sociocultural exchange is an application to improve, mold and guide the present as well as the future generation. A foundation that give knowledge, understanding and awareness to develop the complex and cultural problems of the past, present and in the future. Where we can find a common approaches, teaching about the global connection of human existence, individual with individual, individual to nature and society.

The entire event made it successful to squeeze out knowledge and ideas from the audience about the discussed topics. Different minds of people interacted and imparted what they wanted to convey and contribute to have a logical output. Entirely, understanding, respect and sensible thoughts must prevail in everybody.