Respectful Relationships at the Heart

As we look forward to celebrating International Women’s Day it is a great opportunity to reinforce the message of the importance of respectful relationships. Whether in our families, friendship groups, community groups or workplaces, respectful relationships are at the heart of people and groups being able to flourish. Schools are workplaces with the purpose of learning. Staff, students and parents flourish where there are respectful relationships. Within the school context, young people are learning how to engage respectfully with peers, family, community groups, and in the world of work. Much of this is caught by young people as they listen to and watch interactions. Different perspectives and ways of thinking strengthen families, friendship groups and workplaces including schools. Learning how to respectfully engage in dialogue where different perspectives are brought to the table is an important life skill and an essential element for growth and improvement.

At the heart of respectful relationships is how we see ourselves, other people and the world we live in. At Pacific, we see each person as a special interdependent part of God’s creation, each uniquely gifted to make a difference and each with a common responsibility to care for ourselves, other people and the environment. Jesus gave us the command to love one another, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. In Genesis, God instructs us to care for all of His creation. As we approach Easter, we are reminded that God comes to us and loves us despite our brokenness and encourages us to share that same love, grace and hope with all we encounter.