A human rights lawyer's four simple ways to make the world a better place
CBC Massey lecturer Payam Akhavan knows that searching for a better world is a daunting task. That's why the human rights lawyer and McGill professor came up with a few simple ways individual people can make a difference.
During his lecture tour across Canada, many people asked him just how they could help make a change. Here's some advice he gave them.
"Ask yourself what you want to look back at when you are at the end of your life.
Gaining perspective on what really matters helps ensure that we don't waste our precious time pursuing illusions.
Live an authentic life in search of truth, and busy yourself doing meaningful things, like seeking justice and helping the voiceless, whether at home or halfway across the world. It is the best gift you can give yourself!"
"Sometimes we look at the rich and famous, or watch terrible events on the news, and feel that we can't make a difference. That is absolute nonsense! Our choices matter and the most profound change comes from the bottom up rather than top down.
We should begin with the way we speak and behave, at home, at work, in our communities, because those daily choices are ultimately reflected in the world that we witness around us.
We have to lead by example, not empty words, and never forget that over time we can touch many lives in deep and meaningful ways."
Here's an example Akhavan gives of a simple gesture of peace:
"If we want to make the world better, we need to listen to those that suffer, and learn about the causes and consequences of attitudes and acts that result in the injustices that we witness.
By listening and learning, we can better understand where to focus our efforts to have the most impact, and we may also come to realize that simply giving an ear to those in distress is itself vital to healing wounds and retrieving human dignity."
"If you want to make the world better, forget about instant gratification! Lasting change requires determination and sacrifice. Sometimes we have to lay the seeds even if we don't immediately see the fruits.
We shouldn't be afraid of painful struggle, and instead welcome it as the best path to realizing our immense human potential. It is easy to be cynical and give up, just as it is easy to be idealistic without paying a price for our beliefs.
Discover the depth of your compassion and let it overwhelm both fear and selfishness."
- November 6: Lecture 1 — The Knowledge of Suffering (recorded in Whitehorse)
- November 7: Lecture 2 — In Pursuit of Global Justice (recorded in Vancouver)
- November 8: Lecture 3 — The Will to Intervene (recorded in Montreal)
- November 9: Lecture 4 — The Oneness of Humankind (recorded in St. John's)
- November 10: Lecture 5 — The Spirit of Human Rights (recorded in Toronto)
The lectures are also published in book form by House of Anansi.