Education and Environment can make a difference

Yesterday was a very enthusiastic day for me as I attended a lecture of Mr. James D. Wolfensohn on "Beyond East-West, North-South–Peace and Prosperity in a four speed world" at the De La Salle University Manila.

Prior to the lecture by Mr. Wolfensohn, he was conferred Doctorate in Humanities Honoris Causa by the President of DLSU Manila and the Chairman of the Board of the same university. Mr. Wolfensohn's credential is so outstanding, besides having served as World Bank President for two consecutive terms, He is also active in many social, and Philantropic institutions such as The Kennedy Foundation and the Carnegie Hall for the Perfoming Arts.

Mr. Wolfensohn discussed about the need to alleviate poverty through government's need to allocate more funds towards education, caring for the environment, institutional support for the community. He cited the statistics of world GDP, where currently Asia in 2007 has 15% of the world GDP, in he predicted that either by 2050, this would jumped to 60% mainly because of India and China's growing economies. But the current GDP of Asia is considered small as compared to the 16th and 18th century statistics which has India and China already having 15% of World GDP back then.

The difference between the two economies, the Developed economies and the developing economies worldwide is at a shifting mode where we are currently creating more middle class due to migration and service export such as our own OFW's.

He also cited the growing population who are also on the poverty level despite the growing numbers of middle class as the Rich countries are getting richer, so does the poor are doubling in numbers. That is why Education plays a key role in managing the exponential growth of those in the poverty level. Educating the majority of the social masses gives a clearer and more profound character and views for them to manage family welfare and income growth on the otherhand.

The environment should also be focus upon especially by highly industrialized nations as well as those emerging economies like China and India that has to balance environmental care and corporate growth, else there would arise far more bigger problems if mother nature isn't cared well.

During the open forum, he talked about some of his frustrations of not being listened upon often by world leaders on his take regarding environment, education and social justice issues and he appreciates that there are new breed of leaders being groomed from educational institutions that listens to his lecture and perhaps when the ripe moments comes in the future that these new leaders may somehow affect the change he so eagerly desired to accomplished in order to sustain peace.

The lecture was a very uplifting, inspiring and moving talk on what each individuals among us who may cause these growth and future developments to happen in bridging poverty through support on environmental, educational, cultural and mutual understanding to have a lasting peace and growing abundance for every individuals.