How do we create a more equal word? How do we annihilate ignorance and proliferate peace? How do we guarantee a universally better tomorrow? It's certainly not impossible.
I have always maintained that education is the key reducing poverty, increasing self-sufficiency, and planting the seeds for a peaceful, egalitarian tomorrow. Education, particularly of young children, has a profound impact on who we are as humans. When young and developing, education stimulates our brains to be better 'hardwired' for complex thought. It also provides (at more advanced levels), insights into the many cultures, peoples, and philosophies of the world, leading to a better worldwide awareness. I could continue with the benefits, but there are really too many to list. The primary benefit, however, is learning to be an upstanding citizen and human being. Certainly not everyone who obtains an education takes away these benefits, but their chances are significantly increased.
Now imagine if child in the world had access to some form of education. Imagine all the rewards that would be reaped. Imagine countries historically in unrest gradually transitioning into stability and prosperity. Imagine all the advancements that could be made by children who previously had no access to education. Imagine.
A while ago a read a statistic that recently has appeared in many of my thoughts. That is: Had the world governments donated less than 1% of what they spend on weapons each year, every child could have been put into a school and granted an education by 2000 (http://www.newint.org/issue287/keynote.html). Obviously this didn't happen. And that is a travesty. Instead we've continued to buy guns, ammunition, and other such means to death and destruction. Kill, kill, kill. Not educate, educate, educate...
And all one can do is sigh in exasperation. And hope that one day our world leaders will be educated enough to realize that everyone deserves -- needs -- an education.
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I guess you're right in saying our priorities are out of order. Education should be placed before weaponry, but that's just not the way it works sadly. I wish we could all get along. But there hasn't been one time period ever where everyone was at peace. It just won't happen sadly.
+mspin
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/weezyf