Mrs. Moriarty Discusses "The Role of Students in a Democracy" at American Corner - Sylhet

August 4, 2009

Mrs. Lauren Kahea Moriarty addressed 70 students and faculty at the American Corner at Sylhet International University

On August 4, Mrs. Lauren Kahea Moriarty addressed 70 students and faculty at the American Corner at Sylhet International University.

The presentation, arranged by ChangeMakers, addressed the topic "The Role of Students in a Democracy."

Vice Chancellor Dr. Sadruddin Ahmed, Dean Akmal Mahmood, Changemakers President Tanbirul Islam, Coordinator of the American Center Mostafa Kamal, faculty, students, ladies and gentlemen:

Assalamu alaikum. Good morning.

This is my first visit to Sylhet and my first visit to Sylhet International University. I am happy to be here.

I am especially happy to be at the American Corner. This American Corner and the Changemakers program that Tanbirul Islam heads are two of the many programs in Bangladesh that are supported by the United States Government.

The American Corner links you to a wealth of information and provides a window into American culture and life. Students and professors, I hope you are taking full advantage of this treasure trove.

Coordinator Mostafa Kamal, thank you for the work you do to make the information and resources at the American Corner accessible to so many people.

Thank you, Tanbir, for your work to inspire and teach people to use their knowledge, skills and passion to change their communities and the world around them.

How would you like to change the world? Close your eyes and think of three things you wish were different in the world. Maybe you want every home in your father's village to have electricity. Maybe you want every person who goes to court to receive equal justice before the law. Maybe you want to see Bangladesh make the computer mice, monitors, and peripherals now made in China. Maybe you want to end world hunger. Envision in as much detail as you can the world the way you want it to be.

Do you have a clear picture in your mind? Good! Keep it in mind as we talk about the role of students in a democracy.

Now, open your eyes.

Almost 150 years ago, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln talked about democratic government as "government of the people, by the people and for the people." Well, Bangladesh is a democracy, and you know what? You are the people. So, what are you, as citizens of a democracy, going to do to shape your world the way your want it?

One of the most important things you can do is to vote.

Last year, in elections in Bangladesh and in the United States, young people voting for the first time made up a big percentage of the electorate. Their votes helped to determine who won and who lost.

In an election, every vote counts. So, each time you have a chance to vote, find out about the issues and the candidates. Then, vote for the person you believe will be most likely to shape government and the world the way you want them to be.

As important as it is to have an election, as important as it is to vote, being a responsible citizen of a democracy means more than voting.

In 1963, American civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. He dreamed that one day black Americans and white Americans would truly be equal. This year, when the first African-American President of the United States took office, Americans knew we had come a long way toward fulfilling Dr. King's dream.

In his 1963 speech, Dr. King talked not only about his dream. He also talked about how black Americans should go about turning that dream into reality. He said, "In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds….We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."

"Soul force"—those were Dr. King's words.

Soul force comes in many varieties, but soul force is not tearing down, burning, destroying. Soul force is building up, creating anew, inspiring to greatness.

Think back to the picture you had in your mind of the world the way you would like it to be. Think of an issue you are passionate about. What is government's role on that issue? What can you do to shape law, policy and government action on that issue?

To stimulate your thinking, let me suggest five ideas. These ideas are similar to ways in which students in the United States participate in the democratic process to make progress on issues important to them.

1. Write a letter or a petition. To do that, start by informing yourself on an issue that matters to you. Then, draft a letter or petition that offers constructive suggestions, not just complaints. Keep the letter focused and short—one page, if possible. Get other people to sign your petition. Then, send your petition or letter to the upazila chairman or the member of parliament who represents you or the government minister in charge of the issue.
2. Meet with decision makers. You might use the letter you drafted to seek an appointment to discuss an issue that matters to you. With whom should you meet? Meet with people who make decisions on the issue you care about. Meet with people who you think may be allies. Meet with people who oppose your ideas. Meet with your union council chairman or the mayor or a member of parliament—or all of them. People—especially senior people—are busy so keep the meeting short. In the United States, that means five minutes. To use the meeting time well, prepare ahead of time what you want to say and coordinate thoroughly ahead of time with anyone who will accompany you to the meeting.
3. Work as an intern. Thousands and thousands of young people work as interns in the United States. Some work for free for a few hours every week; others work for free as interns for a full semester. They work for the federal government or local government or non-governmental organizations or even companies. Some work for the member of the legislature who represents them; others work for a member who shares their view on an issue important to them. Young Americans who work for Members of Congress and Senators research issues for the member, present policy options and sometimes help draft legislation. They monitor what government does to implement law and policy on issues important to them.
4. Use the media. Write a letter to a newspaper or sms a talk radio show to give your views on an issue important to you. Again, keep it short, focused and constructive. Or alert the media to unreported events—a neglected problem, an opportunity to do good. Present background and a story in a way that journalists can use. Or, if you can't get the media to use what you give them, then make your own media. Think clearly about the message you want to send. Then, start a newsletter, write and produce a street theater production, create a blog, set up a group on Facebook or MySpace or send sms updates to get your message out.
5. Be a doer. Serve in your community to make it a better place. Use the computer or accounting or business skills you have to help others or to make progress on an issue important to you. Consider a career in public service.

Beyond these five ideas, study hard. Yes, studying hard is one way for you to participate in democracy. By studying hard, you are preparing yourselves to vote intelligently, serve your community, drive action on issues important to you, hold government accountable, and, who knows, maybe serve some day as a mayor or a member of parliament or government official.

Now, think again of the issues you are passionate about. What things can you do to help shape the world to the way you want it to look? What if the things you try don't work? Can you think of other constructive, creative ideas to try?

In a democracy, people do not need to resort to violence. In a democracy, people can express their views and drive action through the political process.

You young people here are the future of Bangladesh. You have education and skills that you can use to shape the world the way you want it to be. Some of you will, I hope, choose to pursue advanced studies in the United States and bring new skills back to Bangladesh.

Whatever you do, whatever you choose to work on, believe that you can make a difference, and you will. I can't wait to see the results!