This idea rang true but also painted a picture of how the world works. At the end of the day, we can do out best and hope for change and success in hurting regions of the world. Until then, nobody has a clue about the outcome of countries, regions and world issues. This was the idea I took away from Jim McLay's speech at NCSU.
This may sound pessimistic but it is also optimistic. It makes you appreciate what you have, and inspires the idea to do more. With that, we can hope to influence others in the ultimate search for the goal of finding "a clue"
Ambassador Jim McLay visited NCSU to speak on a multitude of issues in mid-January. His speech was both interesting and stirring. He asked many fundamental yet overlooked questions facing the world, especially Africa and the Middle East, in the coming years and the later 21st century.
McLay is a career politician. He has been Deputy Prime Minister, National Party and Opposition Party Leader. Currently he is the permanent Ambassador to the United Nations. A first for New Zealand. Africa:
McLay lectured on several topics. He discussed Africa and the issues facing the global community regarding the continent. Currently, African occupies two-thirds of the UN security counsel's time. It has for quiet some time. McLay listed Rwanda, the DRC, Somalia and Darfur as prime examples on how this region has affected the world. Many UN peacekeeping missions have gone into Africa, along with much of its effort, time and money and the picture remains bleak to this day. McLay also stated that Mali and other regions in the future will join this long list of warring states and radical nations with little or no law. "There is a moral imperative to stop that misery", McLay said in regards to Africa. McLay lists Somalia specifically as an international scandal that has proceeded for two decades. The country has been lawless since the early nineties.
However, there is hope. McLay discusses that the future of Africa is dependent upon its own recent success. That comes in a multitude of different mediums. He cites the African Union specifically for its recent success in organizing and promoting development and growth from within. Africa is young, and increasing in population. It has untapped mineral wealth. It has a developing education system. These factors make it a continent for unique and optimistic speculation for the future.
The Middle East/Democracy
Much of the future world effort will continue to be focused on the Middle East/North Africa. There are global implications there while Africa only results in regional implications. The Arab Spring, the democratic revolution of 2010-2011, proves to be the main focus around the world still. McLay asked several questions on this topic: Will democracy prevail in Egypt? Will any other regions be able to adopt democracy? Syria, Yemen, or Libya? What will happen with the monarchies of Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Jordan? Will Israel face a peaceful future or will danger increase? Will the Gulf states continue their success of peaceful coexistence? Will Al Asad relinquish power? How close is Iran to a Nuclear Weapon and will the security council ever step in? These were just a few of the questions
McLay made the point that any single issue in the world will demand the worlds full attention. If all of these issues were to come at the world simultaneously, it would be the biggest challenge faced since the start of the cold war. Our success in the face of this adversity will be determined by how well global leaders and the world community understands the issues at hand and addresses them correctly.
McLay was one of the best speakers I have seen in quiet sometime. He blew me away with his basic yet astute analysis of the world, both past and present, and how they were dealt with successfully or unsuccessfully. McLay is an asset to the world at the UN, and should do many good things there for years to come.
-Christian
