I believe, young people today have a mission, indeed a responsibility, which is really no different from the generations before them – and that is to make the world a better place. How they do this will depend upon their skills and talents and personalities, and upon the choices they make as they journey through their school, tertiary and working lives.
There is no doubt that young people today are growing up in a different world than previous generations. They are interconnected through instant communications, which cover the globe. Borders, banners and walls have come down but, in spite of this, there remains prejudice, distrust, competition and irreconcilable difference across many global communities.
In this increasingly interconnected world, being a good global citizen is of paramount importance.
Each and every one of us has a core respon- sibility to watch out for each other, to seek better living standards, to put an end to extreme poverty, to preserve the planet from destruction and to work for peace.
Education is the first stepping stone to a better world, through sharing knowledge and different perspectives. It is through education that we come to better understand each other, to appreciate and celebrate our inevitable differences.
In our schools we open up the world to our students. Through the internet and social media they build up learning networks and global relationships, through sports and cultural opportunities they might get to travel abroad and experience different cultures, through service trips they might find the joy of seeing the difference their support and their dollars can make to those in great need.
But it is through playing sport that most young New Zealanders will grow the attributes and the attitudes that will develop them into the kind of people we will need to make this world a better place. They will develop grit and determination, they will learn to lose, they will become humble in victory and gracious in defeat, they will realise that honesty, trust, good sportsmanship and being a team player are ultimately more important than being on the winning side.
Through the opportunities given to hundreds of young cricketers, The Willows Cricket Club provides young people the chance to develop the attributes which will make them into people who can cross the cultural, racial, social and political divides. The values they learn through their sport will serve them well if they take these into their world beyond school; into business or professional life.
In my 32 years in New Zealand education, I have had the privilege of knowing many talented young people who have gone on to achieve remarkable things. I am in awe of their talents, abilities and skills. But even more importantly, I am impressed by their qualities of friendship, loyalty, appreciation, respect and responsibility.
These qualities, alongside their individual skills and talents, will help them to navigate their way towards effective global citizenship – and maybe the world will become a better place after all.