Why support the future generation?

How many of you have sat through commercials advertising for the support of children in poverty around the world, and yet have done nothing to contribute to their well-being? Heck, I am at fault myself, but it is time that we begin to think about what the future entails for the next generation.

According to the World Bank’s Developmental Indicators, “almost half the world, over three billion, live on less than $2.50 a day.” How does one live off such a low income, or better yet support a family with that little?

It has been stated by the World Bank’s Developmental Indicators that worldwide, “10.6 million kids died in 2003 before they reached the age of five (the same as the child population in France, Germany, Greece, and Italy.) Another 1.4 million die each year from lack of access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation.”

With numbers so high, how can one not think about what the future brings? If this continues, who is to say that our future is protected? According to a United Nations Development Report, in 1998 global priorities in spending were more focused on things like cosmetics, perfume, ice cream, cigarettes, alcohol and narcotic drugs. The United Nations Human Development Report stated that in 1998 eleven million dollars was spent on ice cream in Europe.

The findings from the 1998 United Nations Human Development Report alludes to the notion that people tended not to worry about the future, but rather just lived in the moment. In today’s world, one cannot simply think like that. The future we seek cannot be fulfilled if money is constantly spent on things of this nature. We should be investing in the future of our children, not into the commercial and pharmaceutical companies.

The Census Bureau stated that almost 46.2 million in the U.S. alone lived below the poverty line last year. How does one explain such a problem? A country built on improving the lives of others, but yet still can’t take care of their own.

How can we sit back and ignore these commercials that are advertising for the welfare of kids around the globe when the problem persists within our country? Too many times have I sat back and watched people ignore the complications of the world. By neglecting the troubles of today, we are essentially throwing our future away.

While there have been organizations and institutions founded to improve the quality of life of people living below the poverty line, the entire burden should not be placed upon the government. For instance, the founding of the World Childhood Foundation by Queen Silvia of Sweden illuminates the progress that has been taken in order to solve the issues of our economy.

As we all know, the arrival of our Swedish Royalty this year signifies a great time in Gustavus history. While we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of this college, it should also be noted that this visit exemplifies a step towards helping solve the issue that is at hand.

Queen Silvia of Sweden has been scheduled to discuss the challenges and successes of protecting and supporting women and children. Her speech, I hope, will essentially encourage people to think about the disputes of today, and how these disputes can manifest into disasters of the future if not taken care of.

When asked why we should protect/support the future generation, Sophomore Akhule Neo Mpunga responded by saying, “Not all children start on a pathway leading to success. However, those that have the capability to rescue these children should do so. Who knows, someday that rescued child can be the leader of tomorrow.”

“Although humans are naturally selfish, they still deserve to help those who are not within their bloodline,” Senior Muresuk Mena said.

Senior Bio-Chemistry major, Zainab Jaji also stated, “By protecting the future generation we are sustaining nature, and providing them with the re-sources/skills that are needed for them to successfully explore the world that they will come to know.”

While today’s society tends to focus on when the next iPhone is coming out, plenty of children are contemplating where their next meal is coming from. Inasmuch as it takes time to solve problems, the issues at hand should never be left for last minute dealing. Time waits for no man.