A World we Dare to Imagine

“Today we are redefining the geography of community and accepting shared accountability for common human values. We have the chance to extend the notion that all men are created equal to every human being on the planet. This will require global structures and products we are only beginning to imagine.... Each of us in his or her own way can contribute something by thinking -- and acting -- like a true global citizen. We have only one world for all of us on earth, and the future really is ours to create, in a world we dare to imagine together”.
-Jacqueline Novogratz, The Blue Sweater
Through the quote above, Novogratz argues that we should redefine the typical standard of success from economic prosperity to helping others. Today, we subscribe to a very individualistic meaning of success, our society has become conditioned to believe that if they alone become rich and/or famous then they have achieved success. This quote presents a counterpoint that to have success we all must work together to make sure everyone has at least the opportunity to succeed. If we set forth the notion that all humans are equal then everyone should have access to the same opportunities. In today’s society, however, many are born and live in conditions they alone could never hope to surpass despite how hard they work. I believe Novogratz is saying that due to the stark inequalities from birth, those who are born with privilege must take on the responsibility to level the playing field. While this may be a lofty goal it can be possible in a “world we dare to imagine.”

As Jacqueline Novogratz mentions in The Blue Sweater, she was put in an uncomfortable position when she was sent as the “young white woman” to solve the problems at the African Development Bank. While being told this Novogratz realizes that she can be a part of the solution if and only if the people ask for help in the first place. My idea is to create centers that will need outside involvement through initial investment to set up but then will become self-sufficient. This investment would pay members of the community to build these centers. In the centers, they would focus on educating people on necessary skills. For example, there would be classes on basic financial literacy, sewing, and other skills that can create products people are willing to buy. With the initial investment teachers would come for a short time to teach groups these necessary skills. Then going off the idea that success is collective once the students were skilled enough they would be required to teach at the center for a certain period time to apply what they’ve learned. The skills the students learned will prepare them for the real world. For example, with sewing skills, the people could make clothes and then sell them to the community which would act as a method for income for the center allowing it to be eventually self-sufficient. These centers would contribute to the local economy and add to the human capital of the community.

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 17, 2019 at 8:56 PM

    Olivia,

    I think you hit the nail on the head with what Novogratz argues in her book. The way she was able to find success in her work was buy creating situations for people to become self sufficient. I think this is the right way to approach it. The issue I think you might run into is that, like Novogratz experienced, people aren't motivated unless they buy in to the idea of the work they will be doing. For example a woman in a poor rural country might not see the value in spending her time in a sewing class when she could be working and actually earning money. Maybe, the people who graduate from the classes have the opportunity to teach the classes if they become skilled enough, that way the centers are more self sufficient.

    -Khalil

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  2. Daniel HeinrichApril 18, 2019 at 10:14 AM

    Olivia,

    It is great that you intend to address the meaning of success; it can definitely feel ambiguous at times. Especially living in a society where people from different cultures are all working in the same environment. It’s an interesting idea to have the requirement for teaching after they had received an education. This could provide a more professional track for students after receiving an education, as opposed to the military or low skilled work. I see the main investment being the centers that you mention. The challenge would be keeping all of the students accountable for participating and attending class. With so many other events happening in their lives.

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  3. ghaliApril 18, 2019 at 10:29 PM

    olivia,

    I agree with you about what jacqueline novogratz says about having equal access to opportunities to succeed, and I like the idea that you presented. Creating a sustainable dynamic by making students that were taught teach when they grow up would eventually allow these centers to become self-sufficient. However, the problem that might arise is that the first teachers that will be involved in the project are not qualified enough to teach, and this is generally what happens in countries where the illiteracy rate is particularly high. An alternative solution would be to bring foreign professors, but they might not be accepted in the community, so it seems to me that a work must be done first on "teaching" the teachers and form them to become qualified enough to teach their students in the right way, which would make the process faster by helping the students to progress faster.

    Ghali

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  4. AnonymousApril 18, 2019 at 11:40 PM

    I love the goal you set out to accomplish in creating the world a better place. Surely, there are those who could benefit from the communities you proposed. You've definitely heeded the advice of Novogratz, leaning more towards a community which could achieve self-sufficiency. With the current plan, however, I would be remiss to ignore that merely teaching skills to others does not guarantee that they will earn an income, as highlighted in "The Blue Sweater." Furthermore, how would the organization cover the costs of maintaining the building which housed it as well as the costs of paying employees?

    I think you have a solid approach with the idea of centers, which could benefit those who are disenfranchised or disadvantaged within particular communities, but I would recommend focusing on logistical issues in order to bring the idea to fruition. For example, perhaps the organization could be a non-profit, relying on volunteers and paying a minimal salary to essential employees? This would allow for the necessary structure to ensure that things get done as well as keep costs low.

    Additionally, one way the organization could generate income to sustain itself would be through selling merchandise that those learning the skills produced. Like one of the GSI companies in Peru, your organization could rely on their labor to create marketable products to sell under the organization's label, giving back a portion of the profits to the disadvantaged people involved and keeping the rest for logistical purposes. This would ensure that the group could move beyond the support of grants and donations, supporting itself for a foreseeable future.

    I love the idea and can't wait to see where you take it!

    Grant Nunley

    ReplyDelete

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