About us

Goal

The goal of AUFD is to prepare individuals for political and economic participation through the articulation between empowerment and civic engagement. We will accomplish this goal with a conviction that citizenry is a pattern of democratic behavior based upon a permanent and complete balance between rights and shared responsibilities.

Methodology

Our approach stems from Paolo Freire in “Pedagogy of the Oppressed”. In this emblematic book, Freire holds oppressed people can regain their humanity in the struggle for liberation as long as they are at the forefront of that struggle. While protection of humanitarian principles places duties on most powerful nations, Mahatma Gandhi supports Freire’s  statement by arguing that “The spirit of democracy cannot be imposed from without; it has to come from within”. This suggests that “in a true democracy, every man and woman are taught to think for himself or herself (Gandhi)”.

Cross-cutting cleavages

Studies show that democracy is the preferred system of governance in multicultural or heterogeneous societies. A glance at the historic struggle for democracy in liberal societies reveals that emphasis on education, shared prosperity, and reinforcing cross-cutting cleavages can reduce conflict and help to sustain common goals.

Universal rights

The view that promoting democracy and protecting fundamental human rights will benefit the entire world derives from the notion that democracy is based on the freedom and equality of all people before the law. The fundamental notion of co-humanization examined by eminent researchers aligns with the argument that there is no rule of law within societies if citizens are viewed as less than human. Cultivating relations of solidarity with the oppressed, not with the oppressors, will ultimately consolidate democracy.

OFFICERS AND FIELD LEADERSHIP