Inequality, climate change, and conflict are evicting millions from their homes. But these perils are being met with 'anti-answers' such as nationalism, closed borders, lies, and hatred.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the negative effects of global issues like inequality and climate change, which are exacerbated by nationalism and hatred.
Winnie Byanyima's quote addresses the pressing global issues of inequality, climate change, and conflict that are forcing millions to flee their homes. It warns that instead of constructive solutions, society often resorts to 'anti-answers' such as nationalism and closed borders, which spread division and mistrust rather than fostering cooperation and understanding. The quote serves as a call to recognize these challenges and to seek solutions that promote solidarity over intolerance.
In practice
During a speech on global issues, one might say, 'As Winnie Byanyima pointed out, inequality and climate change are leading to mass displacement.'
High corruption and the influence of big business and the wealthy elite keeps the poorest Nigerians trapped in poverty and cut off from the benefits of economic growth and basic services. Some people - searching for the means to survive - became vulnerable to groups like Boko Haram.
African countries lose billions every year because of tax dodging by big corporations and wealthy individuals. They lose billions more from overly generous tax incentives in a misguided belief that this is the only way to attract foreign investment.
The high price of medicines is crippling healthcare systems and denying people access to the treatments they so desperately need.
The discrimination of women and girls goes to the core of any and all analyses of the world's economic, political, and environmental problems.
Instead of presiding over an economic system that panders to big business and a wealthy elite, a more human economy must be established which meets the needs of African women and young people.
We don't want to tell young girls and boys that the odds are stacked against them from the start. Instead, we could tell them that with passion, conviction, and determination we can build a better future. This future is possible by redesigning our economy to truly reward hard work rather than wealth.
Keep only those things that speak to your heart. Then take the plunge and discard all the rest. By doing this, you can reset your life and embark on a new lifestyle.
We lived many lives in those whirling campaigns, never sparing ourselves; yet when we achieved, and the new world dawned, the old men came out again and took our victory to re-make in the likeness of the former world they knew.
There are those who still think they are holding the pass against a revolution that may be coming up the road. But they are gazing in the wrong direction. The revolution is behind them. It went by in the Night of Depression, singing songs to freedom.
I call for greater measures to involve more women at higher levels in mine action. Governments should do more to address gender in their mine action programmes and through their implementation of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention.
What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations ... is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of being able to change things by one's own efforts.
I have to say goodbye to things in order to take on bigger things that I've always wanted to do.
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