Last Thursday’s panelists covered a variety of topics- from national debt to the current state of K-12 education in the United States. Each speaker offered profound insight into some of the nation’s most glaring issues in a way that was accessible and still informative and thoughtful. Here are what some of the panelists had to say regarding their respective issues.
“I believe that America is humanity’s best chance at getting that [religious tolerance] right.” – Eboo Patel
The founder of the Interfaith Youth Core referenced the country’s democratic foundation and history as a cultural melting pot as evidence of the acceptance for which the United States stands and to which it gives rise. With a background rooted in tolerance, Americans are the people who can put an end to religious extremism.
“Once kids like coming to school anything is possible. Once kids believe they can, anything is possible.” – David Levin
Levin, co-founder of the KIPP charter school network, discussed why KIPP and its alternative teaching methods work and why it has been a successful way to educate students.
“America is a great country and once we rally, we can do anything. The problem is we wait until there is a crisis at our doorstep.” – David Walker
The government official cited the United States’ failure to take initiative as the chief cause of many national issues, such as the country’s financial woes.
The panelists shared their views on what needs to be done to change the United States and fix the country’s problems but also shared some life advice with the mostly college-aged audience.
“Technology is about changing what we can do to help others.”“- Shirley Ann Jackson
Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, urged students to look beyond the social networking side of technology and explore its role as a medium for change.
“The single most important thing you can get out of your education is to decide what’s important to you…The third thing you accquire is the ability to make that important to other people.” – David Levin
In advising students on how they could prepare themselves to be leaders of a country ripe with problems, Levin told students to follow their passion, not a paycheck. Patel echoed this sentiment with the closing remark,
“When it ultimately comes down to what you have to do in the world, you have to do what you love.”
Both Levin and Patel agreed that great ideas, great solutions, come from great passion and inspired individuals.
Media Writes 2011 