of oblivion and impoverishment. But what gives me even greater sor-
row is that this i
mpoverishment has become a possible prospect for
everyone!
This is the reason that further from its field contribution, PRAKSIS has
chosen to actively participate in Networks and Partnerships with sec-
ondary bodies, in order to assert the self-evident rights on an insti-
tutional level. As members of the Network Against Poverty and the
Network of the Right to Home and Housing, we succeeded to have
the law recognize the homeless law as a vulnerable group in the so-
cial-welfare framework.
PRAKSIS has become a full member of the
European Federation of National Organizations Working with the
Homeless, FEANTSA. With our membership, we participate on its
Management Council
.
But this is an edition – an imprint – of a chronological report and set of
actions … with ACTION for Man himself! I would not want it to end with
negative thoughts... but rather on a promising note...
I would therefore wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all of
you: supporters, donors, sponsors, volunteers, executives, who
continued this year to participate with love and caring to this human
adventure which we call PRAKSIS! Many thanks for helping us keep
our composure, our dignity and our culture...
and a Promise to all of
us for all of us: with a burst of optimism, of the joy of life, of enthusiasm
and certainty,
WE PROMISE that we shall not simply be followers but
leaders of this life!
Dear Friends, this Annual Report which you hold in your hands, is for
us the
journal of another year of hard work, intense effort
and yet
at the same time it is the prologue of a promise and commitment: we
shall always be present and offer assistance and solidarity to each
person who is suffering!
We shall always be prepared to make our
commitments ... actions [praksis] for our fellow men/women.
The year 2013, with its many difficulties and few good moments, has
left us for good. If there is anything that we have learned from the cri-
sis, it is that the armament of the average citizens is solidarity and if we
have learned anything from our history, it is that Greeks always man-
age to stand on their feet. PRAKSIS wishes that 2014 will be a better
year, that the weaker be provided for, that social injustices be correct-
ed and that we shall finally be able to see the much awaited-for “light
at the end of the tunnel” of the crisis. We have promised to defend the
important “selves”, setting MAN himself at the center of our interests.
The man who suffers, the man who worries for tomorrow, who is per-
secuted due to race, religion, identity, sex, colour, sexual orientation,
the man who seeks support.
... and although this editorial would end here, as I am trying to writethe
introduction to this Annual Report, already (it is 29 December 2014),
the Third vote of Parliament for the President of Democracy has failed.
This means that we are heading towards elections...
At this moment, the words of legendary Melina Merkouri in the film
“Never on Sunday”, come to my mind: (...) and they all live happily –
and they all go to the sea shore! (...). I cannot tell you with certainty why
I felt like talking to you about “Never on Sunday”. Perhaps because this
line, that has been in and out of my brain for days now, I considered
that for most of us, the sea almost always remains a powerful anti-
depressant, rejuvenating drug. Or perhaps because the story of “Ilia”
reminded me (!) of the elections that have been announced. Because
at the end of the day, we have the right to choose and the awareness
to vote in defense of our rights and those of our fellow men/women,
who during the last years have been deprived of the important “self”s
of their existence! Their self sufficiency, their autonomy, their self-dig-
nity, their self-esteem.
Let us therefore view the upcoming elections as an opportunity to
voice a reply not only for ourselves but also for those who have no
voice... who have no ability.... Let us vote full of the optimism, the joy
of life, the enthusiasm and the certainty that we are not followers but
leaders in this life. Let us emphasize the “selfs” that, even though they
try to attack us, we shall retain with all our strength.
PRAKSIS will continue to find allies in this direction...
15
PRAKSIS - ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIONS 2013
WE ADD THE SIGNIFICANT ‘A’ IN ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΣ
DIGNITY | INDEPENDENCE | SELF SUFFICIENCY | SELF RESPECT
