Enduring Voices Project, Endangered Languages, Map, Facts, Photos, Videos -- National Geographic

Enduring Voices Project, Endangered Languages, Map, Facts, Photos, Videos -- National Geographic

2012

Is this the end or the hope?

According to the Mayan calendar, this is the year the world will come to an end. The apocalypse is near: 21st December is the last day of this world, if you believe the Mayan prophecy.

On the other hand, apocalypse is a Greek word which means revelation. I am convinced that the world, as we know it, will change. In fact the metamorphosis has already begun.

The economic crisis which has been affecting mainly the western countries brought political clashes between poor and rich countries. European Union is facing serious problems with countries such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal depending on the Monetary International Fund. Spain, Italy and even France are trying to survive the attacks of big credit rating firms. Governments are becoming weaker and have to work together to make sure Euro as a currency will survive and also that countries don’t become financially ruined. Economy affects politics and, as everything is politics, brings all types of problems, with social ones ahead. Unemployment is increasing and social restlessness is growing at the same pace. People are desperately looking for a job and if having one means going abroad, they will cross borders or even oceans. Migration leads to at least two different attitudes: some, a few as I see it, look down at the foreigners; others think it is an opportunity to mingle. It’s common to have people from different nationalities in the same working place. Thus people exchange ways of living, personal experience, culture, gastronomy.

Technology is responsible for many of the transformations the world has been watching lately. An increasing number of people have access to the internet and use social networks such as Twitter or Facebook. Everyday millions of people talk to other millions who live far away in different continents. They share opinions, likes and also denounce unfair situations; condemning abuses as far as human rights are concerned. Twitter was the star of 2011 because it was the means of communication used to gathered people in squares in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and lead to other civil uprisings in Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. Two years ago, no one would believe if it was said that Kaddafi’s regime would come to an end the way it did. Technology brings people together and even with censorship in some countries, information travels at fast speed.

The world is also changing because it is suffering. Climate variations have caused long draughts in different parts of the world but the most serious one, which is responsible for hunger and disease, occurs in Africa. Floods arise all over the globe at different times of the year but affecting almost all continents. Animal and plant species are in danger of disappearing forever. Notwithstanding the number of people who are concerned with the environment, adopt environmental friendly attitudes and practices, decide to become vegetarian is rising. This means that a part of the humankind is trying to return to the origin and wants to live and cooperate harmoniously with Mother Nature.

All these changes help me to believe that 2012 is not the end but a beginning of a new and better era for our planet and for our lives. Necessity leads to genius that is entrepreneurship.