Thursday, January 12, 2006
Hearts Without Hate,Minds Without Mix-ups –A Challenge to Leardership.
What defines the strength of a nation? What should be the foundation of leadership?
What is the key to a future of peace and prosperity in an increasing globalized world? Well,first,let me share some facts with you.
Of the world`s 6800 languages, some 90% will be extinct within the next 100 years. We`re consuming 80% of the world`s available resources. The world`s total income has grown by an average of 25% a year in the past 5 years and yet the number of poor people in the world has increased by 100 million.The top 1% of the world`s population has the same combined income as the lower 57%. 800 million people don`t have enough to eat, while rich nations are forced to dump thousands of tons of food in to the ocean.Finally, 1.2 billion people live on less than US $1 a day, 3 billion on less than US $3, and an even greater number live on less than US $5 a day.There are several such figures,all of which make one thing clear: we have to admit that globalization is happening, and more importantly, there is much need to ponder the dark side of it.
As a youth today,I see my country, my region, and my world on the edge of an abyss.It doesn`t sit well with me.My generation will live in the shadows of the decision made or not made by today`s leadership.We will live with the decision to pollute or conserve,to oppress,exploit and abuse, or to empower, foster , and protect. The world we want to inherit is one in which freedoms and civil liberties are not suspended in the name of democracy. We don`t want to work 10 to 15 hours a day just to produce the next generation of mindless conservatives and slave labor.
Today, corporate globalization uses nuclear bombs, standing mines,imperialism and diversity of human cultures to make sure that it`s only money,patents,goods and services that are borderlessly globalized- not the free movement of people, not a respect for human-rights and not international treaties, cultural crisis or environmental problems. “Is globalization only to benefit the powerful and the financiers, spectatulators, investors and traders? Does it offer nothing to men, women and children ravaged by the violence of poverty?” writes Nelson Mandela in the Davos World Economic Forum.
We, the youth of this globalized world, never want freedom to be curtailed in the name of protecting freedom, nor do we want liberties to be curtailed in the name of democracy.We don`t want to define all kind of dissent as terrorism.And what else? We don`t want leadership that breeds hatred among nations.And yet, these are some of the dangers facing us in the world today. As Upendra Baxi, Proffesor of Law,University of Warwick writes, “The emerging necrophilic anthrax terrorism is a catastrophic incarnation of a world without borders” . This is only one example of what poor leardership can cause in a globalized world.
If we have a look at the headlines of any newspaper we`ll see terror, oppression, and ethnic tensions in India,China,Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the list goes on and on. The names are different, the religious orders may vary, but the fallout from these headlines remains the same.Orphaned children,helpless widows,looted shops, burnt homes, and overfull burial grounds are all tragic remnants of the bitterness and insecurity left imbedded in many minds. It`s incalculable.No country can be at peace if its citizens are at war with each other. No nation can prosper if its people are physically and emotionally impoverished by violence. “The main goal of the future is to stop violence. The world is addicted to it.” says Bill Cosby, African-american comedian,actor, and author.
All this begs the question,what is the solution? My solution is change. We must change the way we think,act and feel about our world. “The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react,” says Gloria Anzaldna. No longer are the answers of the past acceptable solutions for the future. Nuclear stand-offs must be supplanted by de-nuclearization and anti^proliferation. Guerilla warfare must be abdicated in favor of political inclusion and respectful public debate. Capitalist imperialism must be curbed to make way for sustainable, viable and equitable economic growth.
This brings me to the subject which forms the core component of my strategy: educating the youth against community hatred and misconceptions of globalization. The youth today are often confused about who they are and what they are. This confusion is often enforced by news media and even national laws. Religious, cultural or personal symbols help peopleto better understand their heritages.We`re trading our languages, music,histories, traditions and cultural images for Hollywood movies,Cokes,nike,pop music and Britney Spears dance moves. We`re too busy shopping and trying to keep up with the latest fashions in order to be stylish and survive as consumers to stop and think about the impact we are having on our world or what is happening in the world around us. “No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be….” Says Isaac Asimov(1920-92) , Russian-born American scientist, and writer.
Muslim headscarves have forced at least one country to grapple with its identity. If I choose to dress in a micro-miniskirt that is my right. If I choose to wear leather clothes with metal spikes or cover myself with tattoos that is acceptable as a form of personal expression. Why can`t I choose to cover my head with a scarf? From the governments perspective, the law must be changed. They say that wearing a headscarf is too much of an extremist position that aligns itself with fundamentalist Islam, and so it must be banned by law. This type of behavior is devastating to cultural tolerance and acceptance. This type of one-size-fits-all politics needs to be abandoned.
Instead of banning forms of personal expression that we do not understand, governments need to foster an environment where cultural diversity is celebrated through means of awareness and edification.We should influence governments to introduce compulsory courses at school on World Communities, Where children learn at least five principals of all major religions and philosophies.By introducing a new world body whose point is not politics but cultural exchange,through these programs we cannot only give chidren a better sense of who they are but also teach them how they can acclimate themselves to their host cultures. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” says Nelson Rolihlana Mandela,A South African-Black political leader who was jailed for anti-apartheid activities.
Just imagine! If this generation is motivated not by destructive division but by the constructive vision of making the regions peaceful and prosperous, there will be no stopping them. It will not be a blind army of the faithful but the most enlighted human vehicle of global change. Dalai Lama, a Tebetan spiritual leader, says, “Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities which lack a commitment to humanitarian values.” So even, if a dark cloud approaches these young men and women, they will not fall prey to falsehood. You see, minds that have been taught successful vocations are less susceptible to being filled with such nonsence. Hands occupied in creative work do not easily throw down their tools to lift guns.
Globalization today has made us think ”It`s-a-small-world-after-all.” But for the real borderless global village our motherland needs to be energized. All big and small nations need to get together and make all decisions based on treaties which are agreed upon by all the countries.It can help to strengthen ordinary peoples voices. We need to build a leadership base that works with its neighbors and synthesizes the potential of all our peoples to be not just economically formidable but also culturally aware and proud. “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leaderships is defined by result not attribute.” Says Peter F(erdinand) Drucker,Australian writer, auther, and educator. The goal should be to overcome conflicts between nation states and rests on a foundation of shared values such as peace, democracy and liberalism in order to make socities without bounds.
We find ourselves at the fork in the road. It is time for not just talk but action and progress. “To belong to the global society of well-ordered peoples, states have to stand up and be counted.” Says Upendra Baxi. To meet the ambition of having a borderless world,opinions need to be worked out. We have gotten ourselves in a big mess. We are in a crisis of global proportions. It`s time to break down the boundaries and borders.It`s time to change – you and me. I`ll conclude this essay with the words of “Rush”,a wonderful singer, who express my feelings and spirits for the world ahead.
If the future`s looking dark,
We are the ones who have to shine.
If there`s no one in control,
We are the ones who draw the line.
Though we live in trying times,
We are the ones who have to try.
Tough we know that time has wings,
We are the ones who have to fly.
Statistics taken from:
l Un website
l Unicef website
l Human development Report
l “Towards a new century”,Le Monde diplomalique,Jan.1999
l Lyrics taken from “Rush`s” song “Morning Glory”.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
world without borders was the main topic given and me won the prize of excellence just one year back, i was in Kyushuu, for collecting my prize from one of the top private famous university.
Its about a whole year i havent acheived any~thing.....though its sad....buttt...i cant do anything...when work and studies murges up therez less timee to hang out, to shop n so to enjoyn offcourse to get into any activity...hmmm..i feel like i have atleast half stepped into my social life but without satisfaction...umm..anywayy lets leave all thatt
enjoyin~..at this timee i use most of my free time talking whether at home,work or college.umm mayb i like to smile n laugh n yeah ppl think i laugh a lot n smile all around. but actually half of it is fakee....hehe...mayb this is wat life isss.....emm..n.. leave all that as well...lol
2 hours cookbook at 11:25:00 PM
1 TidBitS
-
at January 14, 2006 2:14 AM
Saad said... You can't hide the obvious from your friends though, no matter how secure you feel about it :).
And one hellova essay/article. It was an awesome read.
