& you're the one for me ;

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Over the past week, I've been following up on issues which could be linked to globalisation, and also read a book about the very same topic.

The book's titled "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century" by Thomas L. Friedman. In my opinion, it was truly an in-depth journey into the rapid pace at which globalisation is spreading its reach, particularly within developing countries. And mentioned just as aptly were the implications this process may have on different groups of people and organisations, such as transnational companies, governments and NGOs, apart from the effects felt by individuals.

Therefore, there was a feeling of anticipation within myself before today's GP lecture, which also covered globalisation.

Well, it wasn't to be. The first hour was just the lecturer going on and on (like there's no end) about the ground rules, expectations and tips to score well in GP. The next hour was just as dry. The content involved was more or less similar to what has been covered in the Geography syllabus last year, like the WTO, IMF and WB, except that more details were provided in terms of background information this time round.

Still, at the end of the day, the perspectives offered for and against globalisation by two different subjects has to be appreciated and considered. The scope covers not just the socio-economic aspect, it also involves many other elements such as the political front (policies to open up to free trade), environmental front (the cost of health hazards posed by excessive pollutants from factories and car exhaust to society) and social front (income disparity, contrast in the degree of improvement in standards of living between skilled and unskilled labour).

Some students my age or younger would argue that all the talk about globalisation bears little or no significance to themselves. But remember - students of the present will be the ones contributing to the society in a decade. And by then, the rat race will only have become more intense and cut-throat.

Which is why I can't over-emphasise the importance of being aware of the fact that the space-time shrinkage will not only bring the world closer and more connected, it will also bring about increased competition as transnational companies continue to expand their reach across the world.

Everyone must start upgrading himself/herself now to face the challenges these foreign-owned organisations may pose in the future, to match up to their talents and not fall behind in the rat race. And the first step towards that is to read widely and know what's happening around you. Certainly, being an apathetic and ignorant citizen doesn't help in the long run, does it?

those memories. 15:19