bbc reith lectures 2007 with jeffrey

The BBC Reith Lectures 2007 with Jeffrey Sachs

Every year, the BBC organises a series of lectures to be given by

someone who has distinguished themselves in a particular field. This

year, the Reith Lectures (as they are known) are being delivered by

Jeffrey Sachs (who some may know as an economist who crusades against

world poverty).

I listened into the first of his five lectures, and his theme was the

danger that faces the world if it does not co-operate to deal with the

various crises that have been brought about by man's activities. He

stressed that more than ever, the world is interconnected to the

extent that it is impossible to carry out unilateral solutions to

global problems, and that if there were problems in one part of the

world they would inevitably affect other parts - and this was why it

was necessary for nations to set aside their differences and come

together to deal with these problems.

Several of the audience who questioned him were sceptical about

whether humans with their very different cultures and agendas could

actually change their selfish behaviour and instead co-operate and

work together in the way he envisioned. I have to say I'm similarly

sceptical. Professor Sachs sought to counter such criticism of his

optimism by pointing out the many instances where change had come

about even when it seemed unlikely (like female enfranchisement and

the ending of apartheid), but I believe these changes pale into

comparison with the changes and sacrifice needed to tackle global

problems like climate change and poverty.

At any rate, Professor Sachs is right that you has to believe that you

can fix a problem before you go on to fix it... but I'll be listening

out to what solutions he proposes and how they should be implemented