Seeing the size of the challenge, no wonder many are prey to discouragement; or that apocalyptic prophets abound, announcing the failures of the fight against poverty, proclaiming the immediate fall of the democracies, forecasting the futility of peace-making efforts. I do not share this defeatism. I cannot accept to be realistic means to tolerate misery, violence and hate.
What is something everyone in your world agrees about that you think is wrong?
Question
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere, what would it say and why?
Time & hindsight
Question
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you have ever made — of money, time, or energy?
Money & investment
Initially, the work was difficult because historically our people have been persuaded to believe that because they are poor, they lack not only capital, but also knowledge and skills to address their challenges. Instead they are conditioned to believe that solutions to their problems must come from 'outside'.
Oslo City Hall, The Nobel Foundation, 10 December 2004 source ↗
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Óscar Arias Sánchez
President of Costa Rica, 1986–1990 and 2006–2010
Satya Nadella
Chief executive of Microsoft
Most people think that culture is something that happens to them, but what is important is that you take responsibility for culture — after all it's just a reflection of all of us, our every behavior and every action of ours.
Recorded
Interview originally given to Business Insider Polska, quoted by SmartCompany, 27 April 2017
source ↗
Alice Sheppard
Dancer, Choreographer
I do not consider Kinetic Light’s work radical. It is not radical to imagine a disabled audience as primary and to make the work accessible to that audience. It is not radical to situate a work within disability history, culture, and traditions. Non-disabled artists do that all the time.
Muhammad Yunus
Founder of Grameen Bank; Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 2006
To me poor people are like bonsai trees. When you plant the best seed of the tallest tree in a flower-pot, you get a replica of the tallest tree, only inches tall. There is nothing wrong with the seed you planted, only the soil-base that is too inadequate. Poor people are bonsai people. There is nothing wrong in their seeds. Simply, society never gave them the base to grow on.
Recorded
Nobel Peace Prize lecture, Oslo City Hall, The Nobel Foundation, 10 December 2006
source ↗
More from Wangari Maathai
View profile →In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.
Tree planting became a natural choice to address some of the initial basic needs identified by women. Also, tree planting is simple, attainable and guarantees quick, successful results within a reasonable amount time. This sustains interest and commitment.
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