A Better World Is Possible

Editorial, Radio Havana Cuba, 8 April 2005

Humanity is at a crossroads. In a talk to the Cuban people this week, Cuban president Fidel Castro, reflected on the dangers the world is facing as a result of war and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, mostly in the power of the United States. Added to that is the absurd aggression against the environment that is damaging the entire planet.

The only species gifted by nature with exceptional talents for unlimited development, able to discover the mysteries of its environment and of the universe, with the capacity to transform the world and itself in positive terms, is quickly running out of time and is facing the real possibility of disappearing completely.

The tragedy could be total, because despite the bitter pessimism of thinkers like Claude Livi-Strauss, who already in l955 warned that the world began without mankind and would end without him, geneticist Albert Jacquard, who affirmed that the disappearance of the human being would be a tragedy for the species, but the next day the animals, rivers and forests would be happier; the hard truth is that after we’re gone it is doubtful that anything will be left.

That same Jacquard took issue with what he called the dictatorship of the economy and stated that the problems of humankind cannot be resolved with numbers or curves, and that we ourselves are rushing towards catastrophe. The first symptoms are already visible: an uncontrollable spiraling of poverty, hunger and unemployment.

If we want to see a new world, an authentic revolution in human conduct is needed. It is not only possible, but it is indispensable if the human species is to survive; if we wish to leave something more than a legacy of sterile, unusable deserts.

If we wish to make a new world we must end the culture of fear, as societies live evermore enclosed in themselves, evermore exclusive and discriminatory, incubating unnecessary hated which keeps us from truly living and enjoying the great richness of our diversity.

Only when we stop fearing what we do not know, what is different; only when culture and education fulfil their objective to prepare us for our encounter with others and when we are able to insure that we exclude no one because we are all important and necessary, will we be opening a new door to a better future.