SOCRATES OLYMPIO
GHANA

Instead of writing his journal entry last night, Socrates prepared his speech for the International Press.  The text of his speech follows:

Good morning ladies and gentlemen:

My name is Socrates Olympio  and I am the youth representative of Ghana at the all important state of the world forum.  Joining me here today to present the message of the youth around the world are five colleagues from different parts of the world, representing different cultures but more importantly the consensus reached by the 35 youth participants from 29 countries. 

Before I introduce the next speaker I would first want to say a little story:  A little boy ran home from school one hot afternoon to a delicious meal prepared by his loving mother, but like every good child he decided to wash his hands before eating.  But, after our dear little friend finished washing, he forgot to turn off the tap. 

We can all imagine the havoc that could be created within no time if that situation wasn't rectified.  Unfortunately, the worst happened.  But much more intriguing about the whole situation was the fact that there were several other individuals living in the same house who came by the mess but acted indifferently to it.  That is, the sink overflowing its capacity and spilling its contents of the floor.  Some watched and went past, others attempted to salvage the situation but were distracted before they could act effectively, while others, out of contempt, condemned the offender and hurried off.  But the story ends as follows:  the tap is still running.

The story is a moral. Here we portray the situation of the world with reference to the mess humankind has created by its negligence and its indifference to the realities and dangers we are exposed to. The boy represents people who continue to destroy the environment spiritually, socially and physically. The sink is the planet Earth. The other individuals in the house are the people who decide not to act to help reverse the situation. The phrase, "the tap is still running" means that we are still destroying the environment. If the tap continues to run, it will eventually run dry.  Thank you.