Our guiding principles

WHO WE ARE

Following an exchange of professionals of social work and education between the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony and the ecumenical Taizé Fraternity in Mymensingh (Bangladesh), the "German-Bengali Circle of Friends - Parapar" was founded in the fall of 2012 and has had an association structure as "Parapar e.V." since 2022. We are active members and supporters of this association. We come from different educational and professional backgrounds, we are mothers and fathers, families and single people. We all serve as volunteers. We see ourselves as a network of interested and active people, as brothers and sisters and as a circle of supporters for the various social-diaconal and charitable projects in Mymensingh, which were initiated by the brothers of the Taizé Fraternity (see point 4).

We understand ourselves to be both, receiving and giving.

OUR LOGO

Logo_Parapar_bunt%20Quadrat_rund

The Parapar logo was created in 2020 and expresses our identity as an association and circle of friends in the following way:

The image of a boat on a river has developed into the guiding symbol of our work: A river provides a habitat for many people and animals. It is origin, life and decay from its source to its mouth. It represents change and continuity. People settle on its banks, build and settle down. Like a pull, it draws people's gaze to the other bank again and again. The original, natural barrier of the river becomes an invitation to let go and see new shores, to take courage and encounter the unknown. This is how people reach the other shore by boat, exchange ideas and network. They return from work or a visit to the original shore, richer in luggage, experience and encounters. We see ourselves both as travelers and hosts.

OUR PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

Community and solidarity

  • We see ourselves in the sense of the Bengali term "Parapar" on a "crossing" between Germany and Bangladesh. This "crossing" includes regular exchange, practical support and spiritual community.
  • We act mindfully and invest in sustainable project work in Bangladesh. When making purchases for our work in Germany, we are guided by ecological and social standards.
  • In view of the many challenges in Bangladesh, we take responsibility in our actions.

Faith and trust

  • We are rooted in different faiths, traditions and spiritual paths.
  • The people involved in Parapar e.V. in Germany and Bangladesh are Christian, Muslim, Hindu and indigenous - every spiritual orientation is welcome.
  • We know that we are connected to each other and are guided by the values of the ecumenical Taizé community, which is characterized by simplicity, compassion and joy.

Respect and mindfulness

  • We treat each other with respect, respect the dignity of each individual and treat each other as equals.
  • We lovingly incorporate our strengths and weaknesses into the community.

Openness and tolerance

  • We are curious about new perspectives, professional insights and cultural differences. We contribute our gifts and talents to the work of our association.
  • We are and remain open to interested parties and active supporters.
  • We gratefully accept different views and opinions, provided they are expressed respectfully and constructively.

Flexibility and reliability

  • We are aware that the world and everyone's lives are in a constant state of flux and transformation. Against this backdrop, we want to maintain a flexibility that makes us agile, e.g. for support options in extraordinary situations, such as natural disasters caused by climate change.
  • Our community and our joint work are a dynamic process, a shared journey and being on the move that require reliability. That is why mutual trust, reliable agreements, clear communication and transparency are important to us.

Our vision

With our work, we want to make the life stories of people in Bangladesh visible. We want to create encounters, connect cultures and bring people together. We want to cross borders through our actions and be curious about what awaits us on the other side.

We raise people's awareness of Bangladesh, make interreligious, intercultural and cultural diversity visible and bring the unheard-of to light. As friends and sponsors, we provide financial support for social and diaconal projects in Bangladesh, such as:

  • Shanti Mitra - Educational work for peace education, conflict resolution and interreligious dialog in schools
  • Station Club - Educational work with children in the slums
  • Choto Tara - Day centers for children with mental and/or physical disabilities and their mothers
  • Protibondhi Community Center - Physical Disability Center
  • Scholarship Program
  • Prison Ministry - Pastoral care and legal support for prisoners
  • Mikrakbo - Pastoral care for members of the Garo ethnic minority
  • Charitable support for old, destitute and sick people
  • L'Arche - residential project for people with mental disabilities