Sydney Life

It is common, when listening to talk back radio or reading opinion articles in the newspaper, to hear about how bad young people are today. We are often criticised for being overstimulated, underdressed and ruled by a doctrine of individualism. Figures like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton are taken to be representations of us all and therefore the positive things we have and can achieve are overlooked.

This is why it was refreshing to hear Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision Australia, and Anne Robinson, Chair of World Vision Australia, speak on campus last week about the potential they see in our generation. Under the leadership of our generation society will not (as they say) go to hell in a hand basket, but will have its best chance yet of fighting the crippling effects of powerlessness and poverty.

As part of a seminar named Authentic Living, Costello and Robinson spoke on the intersection of their Christian faith and their work for World Vision. They seemed encouraged by the participation of young people in the Make Poverty History movement and said that our generation seems more focused on tackling issues of poverty and injustice than theirs has been.

But what does it take to Make Poverty History – not just as a community, but as individuals? And does the world vision has to start with a vision for own lives?

I often feel like it is a special kind of person who is meant to work towards ending poverty, people who don’t mind wearing hand-me-downs and choose to fashion their hair in dreadlocks so as not to waste money on frivolous expenses like shampoo and haircuts.

And if that’s true – then I am definitely not cut out for the job!

It is a really tough question to answer…..but I feel like people who accept who they are, and use what they do best (no matter what that is) to fight poverty are working towards an answer.

I love Sarah McLachlan’s World on Fire music video: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hzoNInZ2ClQ

It is so inspiring to see that she hasn’t changed who she is to tackle issues of poverty, and the ignorance about poverty that exists in countries like the U.S. and Australia. She simply uses the gifts she has – music – to try and make a difference.

So what are the gifts I can use? What are the things I love and how can I work towards making sure they don’t exploit the poor?

Well….I love fashion. Shopping is perhaps my favourite thing to do but - with the cost the fashion industry ravages on the environment and the suffering caused in sweatshops around the world - I need to think seriously about what I spend my money on, and what clothing brands operate ethically (if you are interested in this check out this website: www.nosweatshoplabel.com)

And the most obvious gift I, and everyone at Sydney University has been given, is the gift of education.

Ten percent of the world’s population is illiterate!

As a university student I spend my days with pen in hand and glasses ready, so I find it impossible to conceive of a life in which written words were not a factor. I take the ability to read and write for granted – so much so that I complain several times a day about having to work on assignment or complete my tutorial readings.

I think that as consumers we have more power than we are aware of – and as educated people we owe it to those that are not to ensure our choices do not negatively affect them.

So at the moment I am thinking about how my individual choices form part of a greater movement to Make Poverty History.

I am still trying to work out what they should be, but I choose to agree with Tim Costello and Anne Robinson that it is within our power to stand up for the powerless.