For a while now I've been attempting to grasp the meaning of this global, collaborative experiment that digital tools have suddenly allowed. And while much of the world goes to hell in a handbasket and the embers of a dying civilization burn, glimpses of a new world order are emerging that give me reason for optimism. I see a bright future ahead. And while some may find this new world order disconcerting, particularly those who are used to being the dominant culture in the world, I see nothing but hope. The future will be different and that is a good thing.
I am speaking, of course, from the point of view of one of the privileged. I live in Canada which is equivalent to having won the lottery. We are a nation rich in natural resources. We believe in social safety nets and the value of public institutions. We have a well-supported public education system. We have health care. We have economic mobility. And while we've had some bumps and bruises during the global downturn, we've been by and large untouched by the global financial crisis because our banks were required to keep their houses in order. Our economy is relatively strong. And while we may criticize our government's decisions at times, it functions. We have our own issues and problems. Poverty is present even in a country such as this; our environmental record is far from stellar, places such as Attawapiskat remind us of our unresolved colonial past and we have a prime minister more interested in building prisons than developing rehabilitation programs as even our neighbours to the south have recommended. However, we know that should we become truly unhappy with our government, we can eventually vote it out of office without the interference of "corporation as citizen". This gives me comfort. This is not, however, the reason for my current optimism.
Canada has something even more wonderful at play and it is something that we freely offer to the world. It's our youth. We have the most diverse, multi-cultural population in the world, much of it under the age of 35 and it is this that gives me hope.
It is my husband who first pointed out the significance of this reality several years ago. He teaches information technology at Humber College and has been commenting for some time on what he calls the New Canada. Humber College lies in the Greater Toronto Area where over 140 languages and dialects are spoken. This diversity is reflected in the students he teaches. He watches these students in awe and wonder. They are people who've had to adjust and adapt culturally like no others in history. And how does he find them?
"gracious, mannered, intelligent, savvy, sophisticated, sensitive, tolerant, flexible, adaptable, open, accepting, willing ... willing to engage with anyone, because everyone of them is different." They work very well collaboratively because they've had to collaborate in order to progress. These are globally connected people and they bring with them the desire for economic ties between their countries of origin and their new home. This is good for Canada and for the world because this means trade and economic growth. What they are not interested in is conflict. They are bridge builders. The potential that lies within these new Canadians gives him nothing but hope for our future as a nation.
What I have noticed is their commitment to social enterprise. They are industriously going about building the kind of world they wish to live in. They have no interest in hierarchy nor tradition. They are about new ideas and creativity. They are carefully constructing and designing their lives, using digital tools to rapidly connect with others in order to do so. They are completely open to possibilities. Income is not a motivator; living purposefully is. If they don't like jobs, they leave them, particularly if those jobs are not interesting or do not match their values. They "get" what this new world order is about because they are the ones building it. They are not bound by national identity and don't have time for jingoism. They are interested in learning and evidence-based policy and decision-making. They are practical. Does it work? It is good for people? They are our new global citizen. I like them.
http://www.toronto.ca/toronto_facts/diversity.htm
I am speaking, of course, from the point of view of one of the privileged. I live in Canada which is equivalent to having won the lottery. We are a nation rich in natural resources. We believe in social safety nets and the value of public institutions. We have a well-supported public education system. We have health care. We have economic mobility. And while we've had some bumps and bruises during the global downturn, we've been by and large untouched by the global financial crisis because our banks were required to keep their houses in order. Our economy is relatively strong. And while we may criticize our government's decisions at times, it functions. We have our own issues and problems. Poverty is present even in a country such as this; our environmental record is far from stellar, places such as Attawapiskat remind us of our unresolved colonial past and we have a prime minister more interested in building prisons than developing rehabilitation programs as even our neighbours to the south have recommended. However, we know that should we become truly unhappy with our government, we can eventually vote it out of office without the interference of "corporation as citizen". This gives me comfort. This is not, however, the reason for my current optimism.
Canada has something even more wonderful at play and it is something that we freely offer to the world. It's our youth. We have the most diverse, multi-cultural population in the world, much of it under the age of 35 and it is this that gives me hope.
It is my husband who first pointed out the significance of this reality several years ago. He teaches information technology at Humber College and has been commenting for some time on what he calls the New Canada. Humber College lies in the Greater Toronto Area where over 140 languages and dialects are spoken. This diversity is reflected in the students he teaches. He watches these students in awe and wonder. They are people who've had to adjust and adapt culturally like no others in history. And how does he find them?
"gracious, mannered, intelligent, savvy, sophisticated, sensitive, tolerant, flexible, adaptable, open, accepting, willing ... willing to engage with anyone, because everyone of them is different." They work very well collaboratively because they've had to collaborate in order to progress. These are globally connected people and they bring with them the desire for economic ties between their countries of origin and their new home. This is good for Canada and for the world because this means trade and economic growth. What they are not interested in is conflict. They are bridge builders. The potential that lies within these new Canadians gives him nothing but hope for our future as a nation.
What I have noticed is their commitment to social enterprise. They are industriously going about building the kind of world they wish to live in. They have no interest in hierarchy nor tradition. They are about new ideas and creativity. They are carefully constructing and designing their lives, using digital tools to rapidly connect with others in order to do so. They are completely open to possibilities. Income is not a motivator; living purposefully is. If they don't like jobs, they leave them, particularly if those jobs are not interesting or do not match their values. They "get" what this new world order is about because they are the ones building it. They are not bound by national identity and don't have time for jingoism. They are interested in learning and evidence-based policy and decision-making. They are practical. Does it work? It is good for people? They are our new global citizen. I like them.
http://www.toronto.ca/toronto_facts/diversity.htm
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