Searching For Peace And Prosperity

In a long discussion with a friend recently, it suddenlty struck me that there was much human beings could learn from Ants. They always manage to find a way to get to where they want to, and are not putt off or inclined to give up when faced with a hurdle or a wall much bigger than their own size.

The world leaders of today are faced with many challenges that have grown beyond their control. Fixing the entire blame on those in charge of countries and states would be unfair, however, and ignoring what led to those challenges becoming stark realities of life would be unwise.

The fast pace of environmental degredation, painfully high prices of energy, depleting water resrvoirs and resoruces, and the deadly shortages of food and staple are an outcome of collective human neglect, as well as lack of planning, indiffernce and reluctance to put a stitch in time to save nine.

The established and emerging champions of development and prosperity ought to take a deep breath and think even deeply. People of the world, espeically in the poor developing countries, need not be deprived of basic amenities of life. Development-focused efforts, with malice and bias towards none, could rid the world of many man-made challenges.

The foremost of them are hunger, poverty, healthcare, education and basic human rights. Progressive and benevolent minds and bodies are indeed working across the globe to bring hope and help to millions of people in need. But they can only do enough to meet the immediate and most pressing needs in disaster and war-struck countries, as well as conflict areas.

With a little help from their project development and financial advisers, the rich and affluent could make the world a better and more peaceful place for those exposed to poverty, hunger and death. Ensuring that hundreds of millions of people feel safe and secure in their own countries, would strenghthen global security.

Anyone thinking that having lots of poor and hungry neigbours would not have an impact on their own well being in the days and years to come, needs sound advice. Indifference only breeds contempt. Leaving millions of people without hope and in conditions that continue to deteriorate, will only breed hatred and decadence that could easily spill over and spread like gangrene.

Efforts, initiatives, development plans and programmes continue to win applause at global summits and conferences. Quick action and sustainable projects that make a positve difference at the grassroots level are still far and few. The challenges are many and mighty, but the human spirit is mightier than them all.

ENDS