1 The world’s 7 billionth baby
On the occasion of the birth of the world’s 7 billionth baby in 2011, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged the world to recognise the moral and pragmatic obligation to do the right thing for that baby.
Mr Ban highlighted that the world today is one of ‘terrible contradictions’ where there is plenty of food but 1 billion people go hungry; there are lavish lifestyles for a few, but poverty for too many others; huge advances in medicine while mothers die every day in childbirth; and billions spent on weapons to kill people instead of keeping them safe.
Activity 1
Think about how this challenge affects you. In particular:
- What does ‘lottery of birth’ mean to you?
- In what ways have you benefitted from the birth lottery?
Write your response in the box below.
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In the next section, you will check your privilege.