Contagion of change

By Theodora Lau & Bradley Leimer

As children are our future — what are we doing as a society to nurture their future — to make sure that every child has equal access to opportunities, regardless of where they are from and what social circles they are born into? According to Oxfam, “gender inequality in unpaid care starts in early childhood and persists throughout women’s lives. Worldwide, girls aged 5 - 9 and 10 - 14 spend on average 30% and 50% more of their time, respectively, on unpaid care work than boys of a similar age. For every 100 boys of primary school age who are out of school, 121 girls are denied the right to education.”

Gender parity aside, we all learn and adapt to our environments differently. What gets us curious — what touches our souls — what inspires us? How do we create a canvas with a diverse set of skills and experience, that provides a sense of belonging for all? How do we nurture this creativity and foster this curiosity in order to help fulfill our dreams? 

As citizens of the world, we have a collective responsibility to inspire positive actions and channel technology for good. Together, we must build a talent pipeline of the future, a chorus that celebrates diversity of all kinds, with voices from all corners of the world. We must create the building blocks to support lifelong learning, a culture that allows us to learn, unlearn, and grow. Above all, we must challenge our thinking — and remain forever curious. 

Much like the young children set out to explore the new world in front of them, we must keep our eyes and our minds open to new possibilities — to explore the unimaginable. It is an imperative to develop, embrace, and share the tools that create the art of the impossible. 

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) bring enormous potentials to upend our society. From extending microloans to aspiring entrepreneurs in developing economies, to changing how we plan, save, and safeguard our assets, AI can break down traditional barriers and business models, and usher in a new period of consumer centricity. 

To ensure an equitable future in this digital era, we must ensure everyone has a chance to be part of this innovation economy - from education to technology development. 

It is only when we embrace the needs of the future that we can begin to shape those minds that will create it. 

Tune in for an inspirational #OneVision episode with Sally Eaves via iTunes and Spotify, who shares with Bradley and Theo her passionate stories and what motivates her. Their conversation will leave you pondering - if you can do something for your community that truly makes a difference, what will your legacy be?