I seem to remember posting this before, right on the day that I learned what it really means. Yet, today, I was reminded by Kuya Fishy, the Japanese student who went to Mindanao from his homeland Japan, to help the Sendong victims. To read the news about him, click here.
To think globally means to see things or problems not only in the boundaries of geographical demarcations wherein you are situated, but to see things at a bird's eye view. To understand poverty means seeing povety as well as wealth of other neighbor nations and the world as a whole. If there is push and pull between rural and urban poverty in the Philippines, there is also a presence of the push and pull between the developing and developed First World countries.
However, to think this way it too abstract that you can't even understand anything. Today, Zenta told "to see things in a general view is seeing nothing at all." (I'm sorry if it wasn't verbatim for his words were more creative than mine.) I learned it through ACCESS.
That is why.. we must "act locally". Action should take place from the level of the person, of the group, of the organization, of the barangay, of the local government to the national level. Of course, each problem should be sorted and defined in its own specific term, and to be analyzed historically, before a solution maybe applied. (OMG, that's made my mind bleed a little). I just remembered, as I was letting time pass at Papemelrotti this afternoon, I read "When you see a hungry child, feed one. When you see a homeless family, shelter one. Hope begins with one."
Anyway, I'll try to make an example.
At Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon, fishing is one of the main sources of income of families below the poverty line. Yet, their problem not only involves lessening small fishes due to practice of dynamite fishing but more so, is the presence of large fishing boats from Taiwan, China and Japan. Because of these high-tech and large ships from other countries, abundance of fish to be caught by the small fisherman from Perez, is affected. Thus, the problem is not just because of the situation at the fisherman village but of international relations. This is to "think globally".
Then, "to act locally" would mean getting each fisherman to know the situation. Well, actually, they already know but they are scared to take action individually, thus the role of community organizing enters. The action should come from the fisherman themselves first, although a move from the United Nations or lawmakers of Philippines is also important.
It was difficult for me to understand "think globally, act locally" when I was a sophomore student of BS Social Work. Yet, I learned it through experience. I wanted to explain it to others who have difficulty understanding it too. I tried. ;)
I also try to live this thinking "to think globally but act locally" by being a VOA member. By the way, we had meeting today and it was about short study tour to Perez, on January 21st to 23rd. I hope the weather would be fine because I don't want to be stranded at Atimonan Port again and reminiscing memories of Perez from the port. VOA thinks globally by having people of different nationalities think about poverty while, to act locally is to show these people poverty at the micro level of a fishing village at Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon.
To think globally means to see things or problems not only in the boundaries of geographical demarcations wherein you are situated, but to see things at a bird's eye view. To understand poverty means seeing povety as well as wealth of other neighbor nations and the world as a whole. If there is push and pull between rural and urban poverty in the Philippines, there is also a presence of the push and pull between the developing and developed First World countries.
However, to think this way it too abstract that you can't even understand anything. Today, Zenta told "to see things in a general view is seeing nothing at all." (I'm sorry if it wasn't verbatim for his words were more creative than mine.) I learned it through ACCESS.
That is why.. we must "act locally". Action should take place from the level of the person, of the group, of the organization, of the barangay, of the local government to the national level. Of course, each problem should be sorted and defined in its own specific term, and to be analyzed historically, before a solution maybe applied. (OMG, that's made my mind bleed a little). I just remembered, as I was letting time pass at Papemelrotti this afternoon, I read "When you see a hungry child, feed one. When you see a homeless family, shelter one. Hope begins with one."
Anyway, I'll try to make an example.
Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon
At Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon, fishing is one of the main sources of income of families below the poverty line. Yet, their problem not only involves lessening small fishes due to practice of dynamite fishing but more so, is the presence of large fishing boats from Taiwan, China and Japan. Because of these high-tech and large ships from other countries, abundance of fish to be caught by the small fisherman from Perez, is affected. Thus, the problem is not just because of the situation at the fisherman village but of international relations. This is to "think globally".
Small boat locally called as "bangka" used by small fisherman.
This was taken after Typhoon Santy struck the island.
Then, "to act locally" would mean getting each fisherman to know the situation. Well, actually, they already know but they are scared to take action individually, thus the role of community organizing enters. The action should come from the fisherman themselves first, although a move from the United Nations or lawmakers of Philippines is also important.
It was difficult for me to understand "think globally, act locally" when I was a sophomore student of BS Social Work. Yet, I learned it through experience. I wanted to explain it to others who have difficulty understanding it too. I tried. ;)
I also try to live this thinking "to think globally but act locally" by being a VOA member. By the way, we had meeting today and it was about short study tour to Perez, on January 21st to 23rd. I hope the weather would be fine because I don't want to be stranded at Atimonan Port again and reminiscing memories of Perez from the port. VOA thinks globally by having people of different nationalities think about poverty while, to act locally is to show these people poverty at the micro level of a fishing village at Perez, Alabat Island, Quezon.
Would you think they are poor because of the condition of their house?
Or would you think they are rich because of their smiles?
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