Quite frankly I am sick of the "cultural cringe"; it's time Australia lived up to her promise..
Australia, the Lucky Country? Hardly.
Australia still punches, socio-culturally and economically, far below her capacious weight.
Thus, Ian Young, Vice-Chancellor of the ANU argues that the Australian government, and the nation as a whole, need to band together to realise educational and structural reform.
Education is an essential pre-requisite to culture, a pre-condition to entry within the Civilising orbit of rapidly emergent Asian societies.
According to Chancellor Young,
'I believe we have a once-in-a-generation chance to fundamentally change our economy - to build a knowledge economy and a knowledge society. The opportunity will not last forever; we must grasp it now, while a window of opportunity exists'.
The alternative? A nation, at best, of moderately well-educated 'shop' assistants without any outlook onto the Asia Pacific region. Social cohesion will surely fray..
In aggravated response, it is my - our duty - to make the case for change:
'I believe it is our job to make the case for investment - day in and day out. It is time for a national public debate on these issues. It is time for us to ask, as a nation: are we up to investing in a knowledge future?
Together with the Commonwealth Parliament, let us hope Providence shall "prosper our deliberations" in line with actions not empty promises.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/get-smart-while-the-mining-boom-lasts--embrace-education-20110321-1c3qt.html
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