The world today is facing major problems, like climate change, the global refugee crisis, and so much more. These are problems that are bigger than all of us and have gone out of hand. These are not just small problems that can solve themselves. If not stopped right now and put a fully-fledged effort of each and every one of us, scientists have said that there are only 80-100 more years before we face even bigger crises around the world. And to solve problems on such a big scale, we need to start from small things.
The editor of “Experience” magazine published by Northeastern University, Joanna Weiss says, “For a lot of the big challenges we face, it’s not the solution that’s evasive, it’s the problem and the approach. What we’re doing here is identifying the obstacle as a way to find a way to get over the obstacle.”
The University hosted an event that featured people who talked about the big problems of the world, namely, the refugee crisis, climate change, and fake news. They shared stories and experiences about people who have been through difficult and life-threatening situations like, a refugee crisis.
One of the speakers, Lila, expressed that these stories need help to go viral for everyone to know them and understand. It will also be a way to create solutions for many problems. “How can we make stories go viral around the world, and focus on the solutions, rather than focus on Alan’s case, which did go viral, where we all saw the problem?” said Lila. Alan Kurdi was a three-year-old Syrian boy who made it to headlines in 2015. His story of the fatal voyage he made to Greece attracted a lot of media attention; thus, making his story reach everybody.
However, more and more of these stories must spread wider and reach more people. Not only will it help the people behind stories, but it also will create awareness, even if it is in a small way.
Disha Mazumder