In a media-saturated culture with a 24-hour news cycle, it’s sometimes easy to feel bogged down with bad news. In many ways, however, we live at a time of unprecedented safety and opportunity. Here are just a few recent news stories that show the power of positive effort, and why an enormous amount of talented individuals are currently working to make the world a better place.
1. India Helps in the Fight Against AIDS
Showing that directed effort can truly change the lives of individuals across the globe, it was recently revealed that India’s pharmaceutical sector now contributes more than two-thirds of the world’s AIDS medication to adults and children with the virus.
The country is also working hard to eliminate the stigma around the illness, and its efforts are truly making a difference for individuals and families everywhere.
2. More and More Students are Studying the Sciences in the UK
For many students, the pursuit of an education in subjects related to STEM (an acronym short for “science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”) can be an immensely challenging experience. In the UK, however, students are now choosing to study STEM in droves.
Indeed, the number of A levels (exams taken to gain admission to universities) in STEM-related subjects pursued by students in the UK has jumped by 26% in the last ten years, and more girls are now pursuing STEM subjects than boys.
That could mean that a new generation of students will be ready to take on some of the biggest challenges in science and technology currently facing the world.
3. Singapore Does Away with School Rankings
Citing the need to emphasize learning over competition, Singapore recently moved to do away with exam rankings in schools. According to officials, the move will allow students to concentrate on their own personal performance and needs rather than on competition with their peers.
Instead of grading students, teachers in Singapore will now evaluate student progress from a holistic standpoint that takes into account each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Truly, this is an educational model that could change the world!
4. Bangladesh Increases Literacy
In another interesting news story related to education, teachers and officials in Bangladesh have recently been shown to have increased the country’s literacy rate among young people from 63% to 93% in only 10 years.
Showing that great amounts of progress in education can be made through encouragement and support, Bangladeshi teachers should be an inspiration to people everywhere. With patience and hard work, good things can (and do) happen!
5. Kenya Moves Closer to 100% Green Power
To meet its goal of completely converting its country to green energy by next year, Kenya has recently built the largest wind farm in Africa. Setting an example to the rest of the world, the country has shown that people can join together to harness energy sources in a way that does not harm the environment. Hopefully, other governments will soon follow Kenya’s model!
6. Teen Wins Science Fair by Helping the Environment
For developing a system to remove microplastics from water sources, Irish teenager Fionn Ferreira recently won first-place and a $50,000 prize in a science fair competition led by Google. Using ferrofluids to collect the plastics from polluted waters, the technology could significantly help communities to create safer environments for fish and wildlife.
7. A Teenager Recruits Friends to Restore a Historic African-American Cemetery
In another news story that shows the power of teamwork to make the world a better place, a teenager in Virginia has recruited friends to help restore an historic black cemetery falling into disrepair. The teen first came across the cemetery on a trip with the Boy Scouts, and they realized that the right amount of effort could improve the condition of the historic site. In the process, they’ve set a positive example for individuals everywhere.
For these reasons, it’s easy to see how the concentrated efforts of a few individuals can change the world for the better. If we take the time to look, we may just be delighted and even humbled to discover how much good is currently being done throughout the world.
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