Case Summary: Filiberto Penados

“We must question our own perspectives constantly.” –Filiberto Penados

           

            This is how Dr. Penados approached sustainability and, in a nutshell, this quote is the essence of his lecture. He discussed sustainable development in a way no other speaker had. He spoke less of the definition, “balancing social, economic, and environmental objectives,” and more of how development is a metaphor. Through his own example of the different assumptions we make depending on whether we call a school a “garden” or a “factory” he illustrated the impact of this statement. Radically different concepts and images are generated when looking at the institution of school with one of these two words in mind. Progress is dependent upon the perspectives and assumptions people cultivate. These thoughts and opinions are molded by what and how things are presented to us. In order to prevent the restriction of ideas and creation of false assumptions it is pertinent to continually examine these different metaphors critically as well as reflect upon our own modes of thought. Dr. Penados raised several points as to the assumptions many, if not all, of us had partially unknowingly held. For example, people certainly have assumptions regarding the course that development does or should take. We think of development in terms of the underdevelopment that we have been exposed to and as having a very linear and fixed direction. The majorities view is that there is a particular path upon which societies should be moving and if they are diverting from this path then things are not as they should be.

            This is a segue into Dr. Penados’s discussion of the indigenous people of Belize.  The lifestyle of many indigenous people, such as the Mayans, certainly does not align with the norms of industrialized nations nor many communities within Belize. Thinking of development in the new way that Dr. Penados presented and understanding the indigenous people is much the same. How Belizeans identify themselves is more than just the definition of that background, but it is concerned with their own self-identification and whether or not that group recognizes them as a member. There are many other factors that affect both of these issues, but it is clear that perception is pivotal. Dr. Penados’s last illustration involved the relative and personal recognition of poverty. The numbers told all with this example. In America someone is considered below the poverty level if they make $17,000 or less annually, whereas in Belize people are considered to be below the poverty level if they make $1500 (American dollars) or less annually. The expectations and definition of poverty varies from country to country, community to community, person to person. As discussed between Dr. Penados and students there are people whom do not recognize their lack of affluence and those that comparatively are affluent and identify as living in poverty. Poverty, therefore, is a combination of both fact and perception. Thus assumptions have a powerful influence on the perceived and actual reality within which we live. Dr. Penados also said, “You can never capture reality.” This returns the discussion to the demand for analysis of and reflection on ones own perception and those of others. Sustainable development is dependent upon acknowledging the impact of personal viewpoints and attempting to regulate these in a way that cultivates positive connotations towards it thus enabling progress.