Let’s not turn our backs on world’s poor
With Ireland recently voted the best country in the world to live in, there might be the tendency to feel pleased with ourselves.
But nationalism could yet prove to be a passing historical phenomenon associated with the comparatively recent development of the modern state.
In order to solve global problems we may need to evolve an internationalism where we identify less with the tribe and more with the wider world.
Certainly there is more to be proud of in being human and in the achievements of humanity than in being Irish or British or whatever.
Nationalism must give way to humanitarianism. That is why we should view with serious concern the proposal by the Government to renege on its commitments to overseas development aid and to reach only 0.5% of gross domestic product rather than the agreed 0.7% by 2007.
At a time of unprecedented wealth in this country it would be worse than mean not to meet our responsibilities to the wider world. This proposal must be resisted. If our quality of life is to be at the expense of not caring about the quality of life in other parts of the world, then it is not worth celebrating.
Larry Gordon
14 Cedarmount Road
Mount Merrion
Dublin.
