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An
extract from the preamble to the statement:
- The remit of the Forum was to decide whether there are any values
that are commonly agreed upon across society, not whether there are
any values that should be agreed upon across society. The only authority
claimed for these values is the authority of consensus.
- These values are not exhaustive. They do not, for example, include
religious beliefs, principles or teachings, though these are often the
source of commonly held values. The statement neither implies nor entails
that these are the only values that should be taught in schools. There
is no suggestion that schools should confine themselves to these values.
- Agreement on the values outlined below is compatible with disagreement
on their source. Many believe that God is the ultimate source of value,
and that we are accountable to God for our actions; others that values
have their source only in human nature, and that we are accountable
only to our consciences. The statement of values is consistent with
these and other views on the source of value.
- Agreement on these values is compatible with different interpretations
and applications of them. It is for schools to decide, reflecting the
range of views in the wider community, how these values should be interpreted
and applied. For example, the principle 'we support the institution
of marriage' may legitimately be interpreted as giving rise to positive
promotion of marriage as an ideal, of the responsibilities of parenthood,
and of the duty of children to respect their parents.
- The ordering of the values does not imply any priority or necessary
preference. The ordering reflects the belief of many that values in
the context of the self must precede the development of the other values.
- These values are so fundamental that they may appear unexceptional.
Their demanding nature is demonstrated both by our collective failure
consistently to live up to them, and the moral challenge which acting
on them in practice entails.
Schools
and teachers can have confidence that there is general agreement in society
upon these values. They can therefore expect the support and encouragement
of society if they base their teaching and the school ethos on these values.
The
statement of values
The
self
We
value ourselves as unique human beings capable of spiritual, moral, intellectual
and physical growth and development.
On the
basis of these values, we should:
- develop an understanding of our own characters, strengths and weaknesses
- develop self-respect and self-discipline
- clarify the meaning and purpose in our lives and decide, on the basis
of this, how we believe that our lives should be lived
- make responsible use of our talents, rights and opportunities
- strive, throughout life, for knowledge, wisdom and understanding
- take responsibility, within our capabilities, for our own lives.
Relationships
We
value others for themselves, not only for what they have or what they
can do for us. We value relationships as fundamental to the development
and fulfilment of ourselves and others, and to the good of the community.
On the
basis of these values, we should:
- respect others, including children
- care for others and exercise goodwill in our dealings with them
- show others they are valued
- earn loyalty, trust and confidence
- work cooperatively with others
- respect the privacy and property of others
- resolve disputes peacefully.
Society
We
value truth, freedom, justice, human rights, the rule of law and collective
effort for the common good. In particular, we value families as sources
of love and support for all their members, and as the basis of a society
in which people care for others.
On the
basis of these values, we should:
- understand and carry out our responsibilities as citizens
- refuse to support values or actions that may be harmful to individuals
or communities
- support families in raising children and caring for dependants
- support the institution of marriage
- recognise that the love and commitment required for a secure and
happy childhood can also be found in families of different kinds
- help people to know about the law and legal processes
- respect the rule of law and encourage others to do so
- respect religious and cultural diversity
- promote opportunities for all
- support those who cannot, by themselves, sustain a dignified life-style
- promote participation in the democratic process by all sectors of
the community
- contribute to, as well as benefit fairly from, economic and cultural
resources
- make truth, integrity, honesty and goodwill priorities in public and
private life.
The
environment
We value the environment, both natural and shaped by humanity, as the
basis of life and a source of wonder and inspiration.
On
the basis of these values, we should:
- accept our responsibility to maintain a sustainable environment for
future generations
- understand the place of human beings within nature
- understand our responsibilities for other species
- ensure that development can be justified
- preserve balance and diversity in nature wherever possible
- preserve areas of beauty and interest for future generations
- repair, wherever possible, habitats damaged by human development
and other means.
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