Sunday, May 29, 2011

The wind and the light

A girl does her homework in Kandahar, Afghanistan
© Sayed Sarwar Amani/IRIN


(ES)

Just as the wind surrounds a mountain, and in every onslaught erodes it during millions of years until it disappears, the same happens with scientific-technological progress against the customs barrier.

Progress speed ahead, while the customs are adamant, rooted in society, remaining outside, and even opposite, to many of the achievements of recent decades.

Technological advances have changed and shall continue changing our world, but by themselves will not be able to address threats and challenges that we face.

Understanding others, managing change and conflict, motivating, respecting, reinforcing, trusting and accompanying are the way to true social progress. This will build a more egalitarian world respecting the customs and traditions of different peoples.

The progress of a society we have seen in recent years is not imposed or by military force, nor by force of law. If we really want to erode the mountain of customs, we need a stronger wind that will be able to change its shape in a few generations, but not make it disappear. And this is the wind of social progress, which depends on each and every one of us, because we are the only answer to the inequality that exists in this world and that is a source of endless conflict.

It is not erase customs and traditions of different peoples to adopt that of the Western world. This would be a serious mistake generating greater tensions. But rather, embrace diversity and strive to eradicate those practices that help maintain the privileged status quo of some at the expense of other sectors of society. Customs that undermine the dignity of human beings and animals that inhabit this planet.

Progress in science requires financial and human resources for its development, while social progress is fed with the courage of people. Brave men and women who face the traditions, prejudices, ignorance, clichés, lack of culture, superstitions, their own fears, despair, injustice or abuse of power, with the conviction of one who knows that we will never be truly free, nor have a decent life, as long as a single human being does not have the same opportunities as the rest. And all this with the most powerful and feared weapon of all human history: the thought.



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