The Dynamo of Hope Opinion piece by Pat Lynch, CEO, NZ Catholic Education Office

Opinion piece by Pat Lynch, CEO, NZ Catholic Education Office

September 1st, 2009, marked the 70th anniversary of the commencement of World War II. Representatives of the combatant nations met in Gdansk to commemorate the six year ordeal which saw 65 million people lose their lives. One central political theme which has emerged since 1939 is the ascendancy of the politics of hope.

The fear and confrontational relationships of the Cold War era, along with the more recent impressive international gains in lifting the world’s standards of living, have convinced many of today’s political leaders that resourcing enthusiasm amongst their peoples is the way of the future.

Strengthening the bonds of human flourishing is a vital high level aspiration, not only within individuals, but also between nations.

Hope is deeply rooted in the human spirit. We all refer to it often and are energised by it. Hope is much more than optimism. It is based on the ability to seek out something because it is good and truthful.

Leaders of substance know that providing inspiration for those they lead is fundamental to their success.

Leaders who are purveyors of hope know that the power of ideas never dies. Well crafted words, followed by action, enable change to take place in people’s lives. Words can be cheap, yet hope-filled words delivered in an engaging way have the capacity to inspire and lift lives.

It is of more than passing interest that those individuals who survived the extreme horrors of concentration camps were more likely to have strong hope in their spirits than those who are overwhelmed by their ordeal.

Building up social capital in society through frequent acts of co-operation and altruism is a feature of hope-filled societies. NZ has an international reputation for making its contribution within the family of nations, because of our belief in a hope-filled future.

It is vital we teach our children that hope is not simply for good in one’s own individual life, it is always hope for others. Such an attitude unites people in goodness and provides meaning and trust in lives.

It needs to be remembered that fundamentally hope is the life-giving spirit of all education. This is a profound truth which most people do not reflect on, but nonetheless, is the reason why education is the life blood of society and of the world.

Hope is an eternal flame which challenges those who see disadvantage as a destiny. Irrespective of what one believes about the reason for human existence, hope is the beacon that energises life.