Voces inocentes
Today we all went over to the students from Mexico city who are working at the project, they rent a house in the village. We saw Voces Inocentes (Innocent Voices), a movie about some little boys growing up under the civil war in El Salvador. Although sometimes a bit clichy, it was still very well done, and certainly managed to move the audience. The contrast between children playing, making all the mistakes they have to make in order to grow up, and soldiers, guerrillas fighting, mothers screaming. Friends dying.
In a way, this movie is similar to many others, Hotel Rwanda being one of the last one. As much as it hurts watching these movies, I think they have a useful effect on me. They shake me. Make me remember the suffering in the world. That I know so well, but that I tend to forget (how can we forget?) in daily life. It makes me remember why I choose to study International Development Studies.
Because I wanted to make a difference. Yeah - can you imagine words more full of cliches? Especially in these Live-8 days. But deep down it does have meaning. The question is not whether we can make a difference, because we do - every day. But I wonder. What will I do - what will I be able to contribute with? How will my expensive education help me? We are studying the history of Africa, international economics… when what is needed is engineers and doctors. My friend is delivering babies in Papua New Guineau. I have had an amazing life, travelled and lived in several continents, speak many languages. Yet still - the two skills I have to offer is English teaching and modest computer skills. How will I be able to improve that situation? And which skills are needed? What needs to be done?
So many efforts to help have gone wrong, so many great plans turned into disaster. A study of international development is a study of errors and mistakes. And then there is the huge error in believing that only by being in the frontline, can you make a difference. By being a Blue Beret with the UN, or flying in to refugee camps with the UN helicopter delivering AID. Maybe working on intercultural education programmes, on antiwar and fair-trade projects in Western countries, on small grassroots-based development programmes is not as sexy. But my egoism and my sense of heroism is not what is important here, what matters is building a foundation for something lasting. What matters is not being the only one brave enough, “holy” enough to oppose something bad, but to convince everyone that they can help and participate.
But what do I know? One can only try one’s best, I suppose.
Stian
August 30th, 2005 @ 11:52
yeah…often i question myself the same questions you asked…Why am i here in the world? what can I do? Am i doing the right thing? Am I contributing? What kind of skills i need to make a difference.
I came up with something that works for me…at least for the time being. to make a difference is to make a difference in myself first and foremost. I, myself can be the skills that other need…
Well, This might sound strange but i realize how much an influence a person can have…simply by his or her bare existence. Yes we do need doctors and engineers….but we need other soft skills as well…every being has its own distinctive way of filling up the gap. International development should be done by all people living in the world..Learning about issues in international development (and specialized in it ?!) makes me more conscious and aware as an earth citizen. I believe that only if i truly live will I make a difference…and international development studies…or really ..it’s the anthropology that allows me to do so HAHAHA