Despite what we see in our daily newsfeeds, life on earth is actually improving. On a global level, we are seeing significant drops in child mortality, and increases in life expectancy. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people have gained access to safer drinking water since 1990. We are also seeing amazing innovations in the production of food and significant drops in the number of undernourished people in the world.
Beyond the world of health, we are seeing drops in extreme poverty and increases in literacy rates.
Despite continued conflict in war torn regions of the world, we have seen increased compliance to the Geneva Convention, as well as greater enforcement of these rules of engagement.
We obviously have a long way to go. We still live in a world where millions and millions of children are not free to live, love, learn and grow to their greatest potential. If we are going to change this, however, we cannot wallow in despair, we need to look at what we are doing right and emulate what works.
Essentially, the world is changing because we, the ordinary people who live on the planet, want it to change. We find tremendous joy, satisfaction and profound meaning when we see that we are, in our own small ways, making the world a better place. It is also vital to note that none of us operate alone. We are all a part of a network of good and kind human beings.
One very good example of this is University of Northern British Columbia professor Chris Opio. He grew up in poverty, in the chaos of post-colonial Uganda. His family valued education and he proved himself to be an exceptional student. In 1982, he was given the opportunity to continue his studies in Canada, and eventually earned a doctorate from the University of Alberta. Today, he teaches ecosystem science management.
Opio is driven by a desire to make life better for people who live in conditions similar to those of his childhood. He organized the Northern Uganda Development Foundation, which not only drills wells for people of that region, it educates and empowers them to improve their farming practices and overall well-being. In addition, Opio has sensitized the people in his Canadian home to the needs of others in the world and has empowered them to make a significant difference.
As wonderful of a human being as Chris Opio is, he is not an exception. There are millions of people like him leading development and research projects all over the world, and there are millions more working under these leaders.
There are millions of medical researchers working to alleviate human suffering.
There are millions of teachers drawing out the giftedness in the children sitting in front of them, teaching them to believe in themselves and their ability to make the world a better place in their own unique ways.
There are millions of aid workers in developing countries, as well as amazing local people working with them bringing about positive change.
When things go awry, there are even military and law enforcement personnel who do exceptionally difficult work, all the while trying to respect the dignity of every human being.
This is why the world is changing and why it will continue to improve.
There is no doubt that the problems we see in the news can seem overwhelming, and it is heartbreaking to see our sisters and brothers suffer, especially when they are children.
As we step back and look honestly at the progress that is being made however, we are encouraged and empowered as we continue the struggle.
The world is indeed getting better and we are the ones who are making it happen.
Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more of his writings, go to www.gerrychidiac.com
