Social themes

Peaceful ways

Good governance

The American constitution starts with ‘We, the people’. This awareness, that we are part of government, is an inspiration for us. As newcomers, often coming from countries that are not so democratic, we want to be part of society and of its governance.

The people…. is everybody who has a sustainable living in our society. As organisation we stimulate that newcomers be part of it, participate in society and make it theirs as well.

Social justice &

Sustainability

Why is sustainability a focus for the Dar al Yasmin Foundation? It is actually a redundant question, because in this day and age, sustainability should be a spearhead for every organisation. Alongside the climate crisis is a crisis in biodiversity, which has been rapidly decline.

Caring for the earth
There is a focus on this in all philosophies and religions. It is a theme that connects all cultures. For that reason, it is important to have the conversation about caring for the earth between people of
different cultural backgrounds. The task we have to tackle together does not consist of a set of laws, rules and process agreements. It is about convincing ourselves and each other from
from within. It is about touching the ‘hearts and minds’ of as many people as possible. Of political or social leaders and of every one of us who can make a (positive) contribution to our
environment.
In any case, it is important that people from different cultural backgrounds who can find each other on this
can find each other on this topic. We choose to approach the subject of ‘sustainability’ from everyone’s point of view and organise activities on the basis of that approach.

Charity &

Beautiful People

Refugees and other newcomers find their way in the Netherlands. But the connection with their home country will stay their whole life. People can give expression to this connection by for example family support, but also by supporting social projects in their home country.

For us sustainability is an important theme. And we want to involve newcomers in this theme by asking attention for sustainability projects in their home country. But not less important are other social projects.

In general many newcomers in the Netherlands start a new future, find work and are well doing in a material way. Material conditions are often better than in the country they came from, so it is possible that people have a wish to do something good for the society they left.

Recommendations

Sources of inspiration

What are the sources that inspire you? Maybe a novel or a movie… It doesn’t have to be philosophy. But philosophers can be inspiring when they want to escape the ‘totality of thought’.

Think of Karl Popper and his ‘Open society’, but certainly also of Emanuel Levinas, who contrasted ‘infinity’ with totalitarian thinking. More concretely: the call that lies in the look of the eyes of the Other.