19.01.2010

NMC: morning session


This morning’s speakers were a good introduction to the issues we are dealing with during the conference. While a lot of “buzz words” and hot air (in the politician’s speeches), Siskia Sassan spoke about some of the key challenges facing the next generation and the encouraging tools we now have at our disposal.
One notable tool is the Internet. This will allow the immobile to become virtually mobile. In the same breath, it will help those who want to focus on local cultures share their experiences in this “globalized world.” While some are bashing the Internet for allowing calls to Jihad, the Internet’s overwhelming power as a tool to build networks of information in even the remotest of places far surpasses the dangers. With cheap mobile internet phones coming into the markets in places like Kenya, the future of communications for development and change is looking bright.
Lastly, I would like to comment on her statement “The world is a grim place.” Generally, I agree with this statement whole-heartedly. The two big challenges we are facing that she mentioned – our current style of capitalism and the exploitation of the environment – are making live unstable and precarious. However, if NMC and other organizations can feed into this global network of youth and inject the finances, mentoring and encouragement to keep things going, there might be some hope in developing the dialogue the NMC leaders spoke of.