ACCESS showcases an ongoing collection of quotes, poems and prayers relating to Education, Human Rights and and Social Justice.
Education Quotes
- “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” – Kofi Annan
- “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” – Mohandas Gandhi
- “Literacy is not a luxury, it is a right and a responsibility. If our world is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century we must harness the energy and creativity of all our citizens.” - President Bill Clinton
- “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.” - Diogenes Laertius
- “Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.” – Henry Peter Broughan
- “Only the educated are free.” – Epictetus
- “All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.” – Aristole
- “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” - Herbert Spencer
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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”- Nelson Mandela
Education Will
Sending soldiers to war won’t make the world secure.
Sending scholarships will.
Building army barracks won’t bring security.
Building schools will.
Buying bombs and bullets won’t bring security.
Buying laptops will.
– Friedman
Success
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to leave the world a better place…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)
Prayers
A Prayer for Social Justice
Lord Jesus, Carpenter and King, supreme Sovereign of all men, look with tender mercy upon the multitudes of our day who bear the indignities of injustice everywhere. Raise up leaders in every land dedicated to Your standards of order, equity, and justice. Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, the grace to be worthy members of Your Mystical Body, laboring unceasingly to fulfill our vocation in the social apostolate of Your Church. Sharpen our intellects to pierce the pettiness of prejudice; to perceive the beauty of true human brotherhood. Guide our minds to a meaningful understanding of the problems of the poor, of the oppressed, of the unemployed, of all in need of assistance anywhere. Guide our hearts against the subtle lure of earthly things and undue regard for those who possess them. May we hunger and thirst after justice always.
Source: Catholic Prayer Book by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Eternal Life, February 15, 1999
Prayer for Justice
You came to set men free Lord
Yet men are still bound by oppression
To proclaim your justice Lord
But still injustice is rife in your world.
You came in love but men preferred hatred
You came in peace but men preferred war
How shall we show the world your care Lord?
The Lord says:
Where man is oppressed – proclaim my freedom.
Where injustice rules – let my justice be known.
Where there is violence – I give you my peace
Where there is hatred – I give you my love.
Lord show that you care through us your people that we might be:
For freedom and against oppression
For justice and against injustice
For love and against hatred
For love and against violence
That we may follow the example of Jesus our Master. Amen
Prayer Intentions
We pray for the Church throughout the world, that she may be a voice for those who lack even the basic necessities of life, tirelessly serving them and calling for change.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for the world’s leaders, that they may not hide behind their power or abuse it, but work for the good of all humanity, particularly the poor throughout the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for our local community here in Canada, that we may show our love through our respect for each other and for our environment, gladly sharing what we have with those in need.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
Source: Linda Jones, cafod.org
Food for Thought
The cost of Basic Education for everyone in the world would cost only $6 Billion US. But instead, larger amounts of money are spent on things such as Cosmetics in the United States which total $8 Billion alone. Military spending in the world totals $105 Billion US!