Dr. William Soto | Installation Act of the Session Diplomatic, Parliamentary and Political , CUMIPAZ 2018

Currently, it is very common for us to find on social media, television, and forms of communication in general, daily headlines that report high levels of debt and government corruption, economic emergency situations, and social, humanitarian and political crises in different countries. This has led to a decrease in the credibility and trust of political parties by citizen population, creating a generalized consensus –which is propagated by different media– that the political class has become corrupt and that the problems they face in their countries are due to the wrong actions of those who have the task of governing. This has led to strong speeches that render the possibility of exercising politics without politicians.

While it is true that there is evidence that in many cases the political class has distanced itself from society, and we have seen governments that say they govern for the people but undermine the dignity of their own citizens, one cannot fall into extreme postulates, generalize, or repeat affirmations without deepening in each context.

There are good politicians and bad politicians. As in any other profession or trade, both sides are present in the performance and actions of human beings, and we cannot and should not ignore that there have been, and currently exist, heads of state and great political leaders who have worked and work with conviction day to day, for the development and well-being of their peoples and in the defense of their human rights, promoting important transformations in favor of the population.

That is why it is essential for the political class to reflect on why these statements have been generalized as absolute truths, to the point of believing them irreversible. Abridging the disengagement with society; establishing a sincere alliance that provides feedback for a deep transformation, but also based on the very essence of the origin of politics, is part of an urgent and necessary agenda for leaders and political parties.

It is fundamental to always remember that the essence of politics is the human being, since it covers all the fields of man in society, and every activity carried out by a person is affected by it.

Politics is an honorable human activity that, when carried out in a conscious responsible manner, with solidarity and vocation of service, seeks the common good and is oriented to the ability of governing with the direct and continuous participation of citizens, to make decisions that allow for the development of nations and the well-being of the inhabitants of which they are composed. That is the purpose for which it was created, and that goal has not changed. What we must do is strengthen the values in each and every one of its participants, that is, in its leaders and in the people who make up society.

The credibility of political parties is questioned but in general, entities and institutions –regardless of their orientation– power groups, and systems are made up of people. Therefore, we must work is in the hearts of the human beings that make up the political parties, in the hearts of the people that make up the powers in a nation, and in the hearts of the citizens who are part of society that have the power to elect the leaders.

Politics involves constant decision making; and for these decisions to be right, they must be made from the heart, based on principles and values but above all, based on the love for our neighbor: That neighbor can be a person, but also every living being that inhabits our Mother Earth.

It is difficult to make a decision that is accepted by everyone, but a right decision is one that is made when positive actions, laws, decrees, declarations, resolutions, or public policies are approved, and that benefit you as a leader, your family, society as a whole, and Mother Earth. Because the right decisions promote equality, defend human dignity and universal rights, promote social and economic growth, but within the framework of sustainable development.

You will know that the decision is right because you will feel peace in your heart and it will contribute to the welfare, betterment, peace, and happiness of the human family and of the planet Earth.

On our part, as citizens, we have the responsibility to exercise an active and participatory role in the politics of our countries. It is not simply to fall into repetitive criticism and absolute affirmations, but to consciously engage in processes and in a reflective and constant dialogue. Let us learn to make the right decisions by responsibly choosing leaders based on the strengths of their proposals and government plans.

We wish that our political leaders, when making the decisions that will govern the destiny of a nation, can do so without the pressure from economic powers, without pressure from groups that respond to the interests of a social class; that the only pressure our leaders may have is to approve and implement actions that promote justice, freedom, and equality, and that is achieved when one has strong values within.

Honor your vocation as a politician, honor your credibility as an integral leader that can positively transform your environment, honor our actions as citizens, and, above all, honor our essence as human beings. Leading a country is not an easy task; it requires the commitment of everyone.

Politics is an art and an integrating science that is based on love and human service, and it must adapted to the social, economic, and technological transformations that the world is experiencing, without losing its essence: Making the right decisions that produce the well-being, betterment, peace, and happiness of the human family and respect for Mother Earth.

Thank you.