On my computer monitor, above the screen, I have a quote from Margaret Meade that reads: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!"
This thought struck me as appropriate in thinking about the life and passing of Nelson Mandela.
I never met Nelson Mandela. Indeed, it would have been extraordinary if I had! But I knew about his struggles from a very early age. As socially active teenagers, my friends and I knew of his opposition to apartheid when we were in high school.
Over the past twenty years, he has come to represent much more. Indeed, he has changed the world. This is evident by the outpouring of sorrow from people the world over. From Presidents to people on the streets, everyone's sentiment has been that a great man has passed on.
In examining his life, CBC mentioned the speech he gave in Toronto in 1998. As President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela spoke highly of Canada and praised this country for its role in helping to end apartheid.
However, this speech was at the launch of the Canadian Friends of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, an organization with the tag line: "We would like to create a world familiar with the smiles of children rather than their tears."
In his speech, Nelson Mandela said:
"Two young people have come with us from South Africa especially to talk to you about country and its children. In turn, they will tell children in South Africa about the children of Canada. Building links between the children of different countries can only strengthen the chances for a better world in the future."
Indeed, I would echo these sentiments by suggesting that only through understanding one another will we have a better world and that children are a good place to start building that understanding.
President Mandela went on to say:
"Canada has played a very positive role in the world, though its own efforts to promote racial harmony and in its peacemaking efforts elsewhere. In the fight against apartheid, the people of Canada were a loyal friend and ally of the South African people. For that we thank you and salute you!
"Apartheid fell because people around the world stood up and opposed it together. As future leaders who will take over from the older generation to which I belong, you face even greater challenges. Though the world has made much progress in the twentieth century, the lives of much of humanity is still blighted by poverty, violence, hunger, disease, and environmental damage.
"Why is it that over 200 million children under the age of five are malnourished in this day and age? Why do millions of people still not have electricity and clean water when the nations of the world can produce so much wealth? Why are people still dying from diseases that modern science can cure?
"All this can be changed if ordinary people, like you and me, act together ... just as we ended apartheid and just as slavery was abolished 160 years ago."
Yes, never underestimate the power of a small group of dedicated people. They can change the world.
It is unfortunate that in the last 15 years, despite the call of such a powerful and motivational speaker, nothing much has changed.
There are still over 200 million children under the age of five that are malnourished. In a world where the daily per capita production of food is slightly higher than 3500 Cal which is almost thirty percent more than is required for good nutrition, how is it that we have children going to bed hungry each night?
In a world where the technology to generate clean water has existed for well over 150 years and can be implemented for very little in the way of cost, how is it that people still do not have clean water to drink or use for cooking or to feed their livestock? We are not talking about bathing or swimming pools. Rather, just the water that everyone needs daily to stay alive.
How is it that we can have the drugs necessary to save millions from disease but not the wherewithal to use them?
And for Canadians, why in a country as rich and bountiful as ours, do we have child poverty? Why is British Columbia leading the country?
Nelson Mandela was a great man. He affected so many lives in profound ways. There is no question that he changed the world and for the better.
But there is more to be done. It doesn't require large groups or lots of money. After all, a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world if we only try.
