By cultivating self-love, we give our inner being the opportunity to experience unconditional love
When we say “By taking care of myself, I take care of others and by taking care of others, I take care of the world” it reflects an integrative approach to human and community well-being. This principle, which is fundamental to a social technology based on the practices of good living, quality of life and well-being, seeks to promote sustainable development and social equity. At the heart of this approach is self-love, which serves as the basis for our relationship with ourselves and others. By cultivating self-love, we give our inner being the opportunity to experience unconditional love, making our affective efforts with other people more authentic and meaningful. The practical implementation of this approach involves a series of fundamental steps and principles. Initially, it is essential to identify the needs and challenges of the community through research and consultation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the local context. Next, it is crucial to promote collaborative work, involving community members, experts and stakeholders in the design and implementation of actions.
Local social networks a mechanism for unity and collective help
An example of this integration are the movements and articulations carried out by “Local Social Networks”, environments organized by civil society, public agents and facilities and the community as a whole. Basically, local social networks are collaborative, affective environments with the aim of facilitating people’s access to public policies, and are therefore innovative and in permanent transformation. During this process, it is essential to guarantee equitable access to social technologies and the benefits provided by public policies, promoting the inclusion of all people, regardless of their origin or condition. In addition, it is necessary to regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of actions, adjusting them as necessary based on community feedback and empirical evidence. Another crucial aspect is establishing partnerships and collaborations with civil society organizations, the private sector and other government entities. This collaboration is essential to maximize the resources and expertise available, ensuring a comprehensive and effective approach to promoting well-being and social inclusion.
Affective and effective social technology
By following these principles and approaches, it is possible to develop public policies that incorporate affective and effective social technology. These policies not only promote individual and community well-being, but also contribute to building a more just, equitable and sustainable world for all.
Affectivity and effectiveness are important aspects to consider in public policies. While affectivity refers to the capacity of public policies to consider the emotional and relational needs of the people affected, effectiveness refers to the capacity of these policies to achieve their objectives effectively. Public policies that incorporate both aspects are more likely to be successful and have a positive impact on society.
Living within an ethic of love is a choice to connect with others. This means showing solidarity with people who are socially vulnerable, establishing the foundations of empathy for building a COMMUNITY, even in the face of human diversity and social challenges. It is an emerging call for an ethic with all the dimensions of the values of love – care, commitment, trust, responsibility, respect and knowledge – in our daily lives.
The construction of meaning in social action refers to the process by which individuals attribute meaning to their interactions and experiences within a social context. This involves interpreting social signals, cultural norms, shared values and beliefs in order to understand and act within a group or society. This construction of meaning influences how people behave, communicate and interact with each other.
In her book All About Love: New Perspectives, published in the United States in 2000, Bell Hooks defends the transformative practice of love as an ethic of life, how our personal actions imply a stance towards the world and a way of inserting ourselves into society. She repositions love as a force capable of transforming all spheres of life: politics, religion, the workplace, the domestic environment, intimate relationships and announces the possibility of breaking the perpetuation of pain and violence and moving towards a “loving society”.
Social assistance policies play a crucial role in times of crisis, such as the one we are currently facing, offering fundamental support to vulnerable individuals and communities. They help guarantee access to basic needs, such as food and housing, as well as promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities. These policies are essential for protecting those most in need and promoting more equitable social development, as well as, in the current context, preventive policies for good living and mental health.
And in this perspective of developing public policies to minimize society’s main problems, some important steps include:
- Identifying needs: Carry out research and consultations to understand the needs and challenges of the community in question.
Collaborative development: networking, involving community members, experts and stakeholders in the design and implementation of public policies.
- Equal access: Ensuring that all participants benefiting from actions in the community have equal access to social technology and the benefits of public policies, addressing and promoting inclusion.
- Continuous evaluation and adaptation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of public policies and social technology, adjusting them as necessary based on community feedback and empirical evidence.
- Partnerships and collaborations: Work together with civil society organizations, the private sector and other government entities to maximize available resources and expertise.
- Transparency and accountability: Maintain transparent processes and hold those responsible for implementing public policies and social technologies accountable.
By following these principles and approaches, it is possible to develop public policies that incorporate social technology to promote well-being and social inclusion effectively, generating tangible and sustainable results for society.
Like Bell Hooks, I believe that it is through building a loving ethic of self-care that we will be able to build a truly egalitarian society, based on justice and a commitment to collective well-being.
