By Divine Grace Llamas
Art by Theone Tiu
“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” -Ruth Bader Ginsburg
There are a handful of global issues our world has to face. We have poverty, food scarcity, and quality education, which are one of the many sustainable development goals of our global society. These are goals that are very difficult to achieve, especially in developing and poor countries. One of the biggest hindrances to the success of these goals is bad governance, and corruption. About 120 countries face this problem, according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from the years 2012-2020. So, why should we spread more awareness about this issue?
Choosing a leader is like choosing the future you want to have, and the kind of environment you want to live in. It is especially important that the leaders we choose are those of great character and wisdom that truly are passionate about their purpose. When a country is led by an efficient figure, they will continue to make more progress in better living situations for their countrymen. As they improve
their economy, it greatly helps on a global scale. These leaders are responsible for many challenges, and
we need them, along with the people that are under their delegation, to build the world we all deserve.
Corruption and bad governance have great effects on the progress of a nation. Imagine all the resources, time and money wasted under their leadership. The number of years that could have been utilized in advancing quality education, healthcare, creating more jobs for their people with a suitable wage, and many more could have made a huge difference for the lives of generations to come. It’s saddening that the majority of the citizens under these countries are not aware that it is possible for them to live better lives when they are led by the right leaders. Some of them aren’t even aware of the power they hold as a community to demand their rights. The biggest challenge of corruption is the hierarchy, and the fear of the people of those in power and what they are capable of doing. It breeds inequality, inefficiency, and lowers levels of human development.
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.” -Albert Einstein
This is why quality education, notably Voters Education, is so important because every vote counts. Citizens need to be aware of those who are running, and critically think if that person is deserving of that position, because in the end, they will be the ones suffering when the person in power does not meet the qualifications and standards of a builder of a nation. Another note is that quality education produces better leaders, increasing the chances of greater improvement in the next few years, especially when the younger generation is taught how important they are in many different fields to change the system that impairs the growth of their country, and as well as the world.
If we want to solve our global issues, the first task at hand as citizens is choosing the right bearer of the torch, because it is our greatest step towards the mountain we are about to climb. Choosing those who betray us will push us off the journey to the peak.