This morning I read a post that offered gleaming hope about the future prospect of our world. I’m following the World Bank Blog, Education for Global Development and yes there are interesting stories, but this one stood out to me.
The story is titled: Inspired by Malala, Raising Girls’ Voices, written by Carolyn Reynolds on October 16th 2013. The author recounts the dialogue between Malala Yousafzai and the World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim at the annual World Bank meeting of the International Day of the Girl Child. The post is strongly, compellingly, and enthusiastically written, but what I liked most are Malala’s quotes in it. Malala is the sixteen year old girl from Pakistan, who was shot by the Taliban for speaking out for girls’ education. Now, she tours the world, spreading the word and raising awareness for education for all.
To see her talk about her cause, watch the video that shows the interview in full length. Click on the link at the bottom of the page.
Words of Inspiration…
The sentence that sparked my attention was in the fourth paragraph (or video -26min) when she said: “The best way to fight terrorism is not through guns…” That is correct. That is exactly what I think too
I understand that some will say what I am going to write about is totally unrealistic. Nevertheless, it should still be considered and reflected upon even though we seem to be far from it. Then again, there is Malala and there is a new generation of young people growing up. There are some signs, little glimpses, that point to a future with sanity and reason, a path that hopefully could lead us to apply more common sense for crucial decisions concerning our future. Maybe I’m fantasizing, dreaming, or too optimistic. However, I still believe that one day we will manage to deal with weapons reasonably and intelligently.
I like to think of a total global disarmament. Then, with a redistribution of those resources, aid and policies, such as Education For All, packed in a box, tightly tied, with a ribbon wrapped around it and delivered promptly would make much more sense.
For me, the production and distribution of weapons is of no earthly use. We create so much harm, not only in the so-called developed world, but even more so in all the countries to which we sell them. Most developing countries wouldn’t have the capacity to produce weapons in their own countries, but the West seems rather eager to recklessly sell weapons, wherever they can make a profit. Thus, the developed world’s business model does not shy away from killing, right? I have always found this appalling.
Back to the article, Malala advocates for education for all, particularly girls. In my first blog, I uttered my doubts about EFA’s chances of success when continued as hitherto when I critiqued the exclusive economy model and the misinterpretation of most Westerners, who project All to the rest of the world, but take themselves out of the equation. I have asked if it is about economic growth or if we are simply selling the world and dreaming a lie. For me the answer is clear.
If we really want to level the playing field, we should stop riding the vehicle of development double-tracked with aid and exploitation side by side. We have a divided world, in which, on one side you get everything and more, while on the other side, (much bigger part too!) basic human needs are not met. Now again, if we are really to help, can’t we first get our own house in order? Let us globally reduce armaments. I would of course love total disarmament, but let us compromise to at least get rid of all the excessive weaponry that sits around. This decreasing trend of weapon possession and distribution, especially by the countries that have countless and more military machinery than any one world could ever use, would unquestionably serve as a first step to a more just world. At the same time, money that before was spent on arms could now actually be spent on true, honest, and sustainable development in both worlds. Malala makes a similar argument by pointing out that the same amount of money that is spent on weapons should be used for education. I hear her, but for me, I clearly want to see a drastic decrease of money allocated to the weapons industry.
The current dominant neoliberal model supports the notion of selling one’s own grandmother, for the sake of economic growth. In the year 2013, I would think that the educated developed world could restrict making business with arms proliferation if we are serious about a world, in which fundamental human rights are to be achieved.
Malala proclaims “education is the only solution.” I agree. Education For All is needed to reach the people who are in the weaponry business, as well as the weapon fanatics, to finally realize that we could do without them. All applies to all and not just one part of the world. Malala also emphasizes that “everyone should take part” in the change he or she wants to see.
Malala and her generation could live in a harmonious and progressed environment. A world, in which economic interests would not dominate and lead to such inequalities, but rather an inclusive world system with room for everyone. That is what the world needs now.
http://blogs.worldbank.org/education/inspired-malala-raising-girls-voices
Source Picture: Peace is the Way http://www.changingworld.com/catalog/there-peace-peace-quote-from-thich-nhat-hanh-vietnamese-monk-picasso-peace-dove-click-read-more-p-1570.html