“How did a young man born into a high caste in India come to free 83,000 children from slavery? Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi offers a surprising piece of advice to anyone who wants to change the world for the better: Get angry at injustice. In this powerful talk, he shows how a lifetime of peace-making sprang from a lifetime of outrage.”
Prioritizing abolition of child slavery in development agendas
The most shameful commentary of today’s society in one sentence is that slavery still exists and our children are the worst sufferers.
I continue to be inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Winner Kailash Satyarthi’s leadership on the important global issue of abolishing child labor. His efforts and call to action are highlighted in a piece he recently wrote for Huffington Post: Ending Child Slavery Must Be Prioritised In The Future Development Agenda.
He writes, “Since the turn of the century we have made progress with 78 million fewer child labourers, as reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This is absolutely a significant achievement but not a total victory, yet. Figures indicate that a staggering number of children continue to be in child labour — currently at 168 million. As many as 85 million children out of these are in the worst and hazardous forms of child labour.”
I stand with Kailash in calling on the international community to finally take the necessary actions to end child slavery everywhere, once and for all.
Read the full article here and learn more about Kailash’s campaign at www.kailashsatyarthi.net.
Je Suis Charlie
Millions of people around the world are mourning the loss that occurred earlier this month when terrorists forced their way into the Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo and killed 12 people. It was the most unfathomable attack on freedom and a heartbreaking moment for French citizens. In response to the tragic series of events in France, violent protests around the world continue to claim innocent lives.
Terrorism is unacceptable – any place, for any reason. A civilized society has no place for violence based on race, color, or creed.
We’re now learning that, due to demand, 7 million copies of the ’survivor issue’ of Charlie Hebdo will be printed and circulated. That is up from their usual circulation of 60,000. Millions of people around the world – regardless of their belief system – know the difference between right and wrong. And while it can never replace what was lost, this show of support is a small step in the healing process and a big message to terrorists that we won’t let them win.
Symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, the United States and France have a long history of supporting freedom for all. And once again, it’s time for Americans to stand up and show our support for the people of France.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. Je Suis Charlie.
Thrive
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a book launch party for my friend, Arianna Huffington. Her book, Thrive, makes a compelling case for living a more balanced life.
Interpersonal relationships have always been the foundation of my success and happiness. When I’m in a meeting, I give the people I’m with my full attention (and expect the same in return). While technology has allowed our society to become more productive and connected in many positive ways, I still intentionally carry a flip phone and work on a desktop computer. When it’s time to work, I go back to my computer to focus. And when I’m meeting with people, I’m fully present and free of distractions from anything else that is going on at the moment.
I also strongly believe in spending quality time with family and friends, regardless of my work obligations. We get so fixated on doing whatever it takes to get ahead that it’s easy to lose perspective. But professional opportunities will always come and go, and you can never get back the time you miss with the people who matter most in your life.
I applaud Arianna for launching such a meaningful dialogue around the true meaning of success. I realize that technology has allowed her, more than almost anyone else, to have this important conversation on a large scale. But her perspective on the kind of ‘connection’ that truly matters is what makes her successful.