God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
This place is being reiterated by my Myanmar friends and former students.
A number of them have left their country and have taken refuge in neighboring nations after the military junta returned to power in February last year.
Myanmar had been under a democratic rule for about five years before the resumption of military rule, which prevailed for more than 50 years until the return of democratic processes in 2015.
More than 1,500 pro-democracy fighters and other residents have been killed since February last year.
The violence and uncertainties have prompted thousands of people to abandon their comfort zones to seek temporary peace outside the country. Among them are members of the Rohingya tribe which have been caught in a long, bloody ethnic conflict.
On a larger scale today, the picture remains similar in Ukraine where more than 13 million people abandoned their homes for neighboring countries, like Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova following the Russian invasion started late in February this year.
The situation of Ukrainian refugees has been difficult that even the small Filipino community in Warsaw, as told by Negrense Jerlyn Cauyan-Dudkowski who now lives in the Polish capital, do their share in helping them in whatever way they can.
People who got dislocated from their homes due to, among others, armed conflict, political persecution, ethnic strife as well as natural and man-caused calamities, are on the focus of attention this week as the global community observes World Refugee Day on Monday, June 20.
The World Refugee Day observance, which focuses this year on “the right to seek safety”, is led by the United Nations to honor refugees around the world and “celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to skip conflict or persecution.”
They must be treated with dignity as they seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe, UN added.
Reports indicated that there are about 70 million refugees and asylum seekers in the world today. Prior to the Ukraine invasion, reports further said, more than two-thirds of refugees came from just five countries – Syria, Venezuela, South Sudan, Myanmar and Afghanistan, whose number increased last year when Taliban forces took over the reins of power.
Interestingly, the top host countries, other than for Ukrainians, are Sub-Saharan countries, Pakistan, Lebanon and Germany.
I continue to pray for the safety of my Myanmar friends and for refugees from their country as well as those from Ukraine and the rest of world.
We thank those nations who have allowed those who have been displaced for accepting them until peace and comfort will be restored in their homelands.
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As many elected officials are taking their oath of office, the world community is celebrating this week – on June 23 – the United Nations Public Service Day.
While the observance is dedicated to those in government or civil service, we also consider declared officials as public servants, thus we would like to think that they, too, are within the context of the celebration, especially as we take into account their vows to serve the people to the best of their capabilities.
The celebration is focused on the theme, “Innovating for a New Era: Leveraging the Role of Technology for the Future Public Service”.
The United Nations has underscored how the past decade “brought about a digital revolution that changed the way people live, work and govern.”
Technology, UN added, has also changed and improved platforms on how citizens air their sentiments and how civil societies improve their problem-solving mechanisms.
It further stressed the need “to rethink, the structure and operating models of its civil service as we enter the third decade of the 21st century.”
The day “celebrates the value of public service to the community, highlights the contribution of public service in the development process and recognizes the work of public servants.”
It also encourages young people to pursue a career in the public service.
As we mark the event, may I share what experts consider as basic traits of public servants. They say these workers must the passionate about their role, have the desire to create an impact, take necessary risks and the willingness to help each other.
Openmindedness, the commitment to duty and leading the example are just as important in the service.
Public workers are expected to embrace the philosophy and culture of servant leadership.
In summary, they must be aware of and caring for the marginalized sector in society giving priority to growth and well-being of people in communities and having a great sense of empathy and foresight.
I trust that this Thursday’s observance serves as a springboard for public servants to renew and for our new officials to pledge their commitment to put personal gain behind and general interest and common good as the primordial concern in their service to the nation.
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In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) – NWI
