Wednesday
the 18th of March, Pearson College’s economic classroom
was full to the brim with students, crowded around a webcam.
A video conference with university students in Guatemala’s
Rafael Landivar University was organised by Samuel Perez,
Economics teacher at Pearson. After a presentation on Guatemala’s
dire economic situation, detailing a rise in poverty and
insufficient medical attention, education and nutrition,
the two groups of students engaged in a frank discussion
of the situation.
After
a moment getting comfortable and finding the best language
to converse in, students challenged each other and themselves
to confront the causes, present state and possible solutions
to Guatemala’s deteriorating economy.
When asked where the solution to this problem lies, students
put for the strategy of grassroots education and local projects
of development within Guatemala. This was challenged by the
Guatemalan-American presenter, who argued that the rise of
corruption and poor governance made Guatemala a partially
“failed state”.
I
(Benjamin), believe that we are the solution, or at the very
least those who must find it. The social and global awareness
though which we see the world has not been experienced by
any preceding generations. More importantly, we already have
the education vital to bringing Guatemala into a state of
stability. I say this for Pearson students especially, who
too often speak of the state of the world without personally
questioning their own role in the change that must be made,
as well the Guatemalans who at some level, live this problem
every day. I spent a few weeks over the summer at a youth
leadership forum and came away brimful of hope and energy,
for Guatemalans along with many other peoples across the world.
On my side (Andrew), the discussion gave me much reason to
view Guatemala’s situation in an optimistic light. Despite
hearing the statistics and stories of the country’s
worsening economic situation, there is much reason to hope.
Our very own Pearson-alumni student, Sarah Skinner (MB), is
currently helping in a Guatemalan orphanage. As the government
appears to be less and less reliable, it is of my opinion,
that the Guatemalan people have the opportunity and responsibility
to take action within their own communities. The real solution
won’t come from foreign aid or from the government.
The most effective change will happen from the bottom up.
As
the first but not the last of a series of video conferences
connecting avid learners across the world, this experience
was inspiring. Through continued communication across boundaries
created by economic differences and political borders we,
the writers, believe that we can come a step closer to understanding
problems such as the crushing poverty and corruption in Guatemala.
But no video conference or room full of international students
is needed. The change is personal and needs to happen in every
individual before it can reach a global scale, so don’t
shy away from it, and challenge yourself to a new level of
awareness and connection with those humans living all around
us.
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