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| Harvard University was named after this man - John Harvard |
"There can be no prosperity without security."
This was the underlying theme of a special session on global security that Harvard Business School prepared for us. The school invited a senior member of the US Defense Department who provides analysis to the Joint Chiefs on global affairs. In as much as I would like to provide a photo of the event, we've been politely asked to refrain from any attribution.
With this as the backdrop, it should come as no surprise since one of the core foundations of global economic prosperity is underpinned by global economic security. And to underscore that, the United States considers economic growth as a core national security issue.
I thought among the interesting issues discussed was that of the trade of oil and gas. Looking at the global flash points all converge at either the sources of oil and gas or its trading routes. Oil and gas after all is the base ingredient that literally powers the earth and economic progress.
Another interesting point is that China has, since the 1500's always been a world economic superpower. It took a brief respite in the 1900's, and that's when the western world and the US overtook China. Today, China has awakened and is eager to reclaim its throne.
Implications
As I listened to the defense department briefing, and privately extolled its forward-thinking and analyses, I could not help but wonder what it means to the small 1700-island archipelago known as the Philippines.
I wonder if Filipino consciousness has evolved to accept that for it to prosper at a faster clip, it will have to embrace the need to secure the peace. True the nation was scarred by the brutality of martial law in the 70's but I wonder when we can finally allow the law and it's agents to function. After all, the people's most cherished liberties and its prosperity is hinged on its normal and effective function.
I also wonder when the Filipino will embrace its responsibility to provide security to itself and stop depending on the USA. Whether the Philippines likes it or not, it has a role to play in securing peace in its side of the globe. Furthermore, it has to accept the truth that the US has its own security priorities and growth agenda, which will conflict with the interest of the Philippines.
Anyways, these are just my musings. But I do look forward to the day when the Philippines will be able to achieve internal and external security so that true prosperity can happen across all income classes.
John Harvard
Going back to John Harvard, he was the first benefactor of what is now known as Harvard University. He donated his library and quite a sum of money. Unfortunately, his library burned down and to this day nobody really knows how he looked like so the University commissioned an artist to make a bust of Mr. Harvard. And here's the twist, they asked the artist to imagine what Mr. Harvard may have looked like.
In the end, it didn't really matter. Harvard University is the richest, most successful, most sought after and most admired university in the world. And to this very day, people still flock to the statue of Mr. John Harvard to pay him homage.
