H U M A N D I G N I T Y

The fundamental human need is to be perceived, taken seriously, and—yes—seen. Appreciation is not merely a superficial expression in an encounter, but rather bestows value and dignity upon the other person in that very moment. But how can appreciation be genuinely lived in a society? Certainly, it is practiced in friendships, cultivated in familiar circles, honed as a leadership technique, and brilliantly and appreciatively presented at award ceremonies. But as a societal consensus, this kind of interaction seems to me to be increasingly overwhelming. What if we started with the everyday? Recently, I thanked a cashier at Penny for her friendly farewell shortly before closing time at 10 p.m. after a long workday. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her upright again, serving the last customers. Appreciation has the potential to create a positive atmosphere.

That’s all well and good! But what if it’s about something even more fundamental, about human dignity, and not just friendly appreciation? To uphold the inalienable right to begin life with dignity, to shape life with mutual respect, or to grow old with dignity? How much respect for others remains when we fear that someone else will take away some of our prosperity?

In the modern era of Western democracies, it was important for people to define a sound foundation for the concept of “human dignity.” Both Catholic and Protestant social teaching, as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, established a foundation for all further rights and fundamental laws. No one should be discriminated against on the basis of their race, gender, religion, or origin. Political institutions are therefore obligated to protect and promote this dignity, even in times of social upheaval.

In the social integration of migrants, we face the challenge of living human dignity in a culturally pluralistic context. Migrants are particularly vulnerable in their precarious living situations. Are we creating a climate of trust in which they are willing to respect our culture and contribute to our society? This requires, alongside all necessary legal regulations, a genuine commitment to shaping and especially implementing these changes.

My faith in the God of the Bible, who created humankind as equals, sustains me. There is no greater dignity than that. There is a loving, inspiring, and dignity-creating God who seeks humanity wholeheartedly. Indeed, he even visits us. His son Jesus was born at Christmas to bestow upon humanity the dignity he conceived for them from the very beginning. This love of God is contagious and shapes an attitude that cannot be codified into laws but must be lived.

This is our mission in the Seed Project. In all the intercultural and interreligious discussions we engage in, we want to see our young people through the eyes of God’s love and treat them with dignity. So that what is broken can be healed and life can flourish.

Yours sincerely, Klaus Andersen