I came across this article on a Newspoll a while back. This sadly is a testament of Australia. I have been speaking and writing on this topic for many years. Below is an excerpt from  speech I made at the University of Sydney a few years ago on the issue of social engagement and the need to balance human rights with human responsibilities.:

“I once believed that it was only apathy that was a threat to peace. But I have realised that social disengagement is a bigger threat. We live in a world of iPods and Desperate Housewives. Where we canonise the frivolous into top ten lists. Where everything is neatly summed up into sound bites for the media. And where the twits on Big Brother gain fame and stardom. Is this is a condition of the media or a reflection of the demands of the public? Sadly, I believe this is a reflection of our demands on the self-appointed gatekeepers of fashion and popular culture.

Last week I came across an article, which said, that one in three American Idol viewers believed a vote on the show counted as much as voting for a president. Thirty-five per cent of viewers polled felt they were making better use of their time voting for the next Grammy hopeful than in an election.

This will change only if the public gets more engaged, in the political process, in social issues and in the global community. History has taught us that every time the public engages the standards of the media go up, and every time the standards of the media go up the politicians follow. Public policy should be about the dominance of altruism over egoism. Therefore the responsibility of leadership is to serve people, not to dominate them. I do believe that we are over governed and under led.

I was reading an article that said: “More than 20,000 supposedly time-pressed Australians (and in particular, Victorians) applied to spend upwards of 100 hours volunteering to help run the Commonwealth Games. While non-profit social services can’t get enough volunteers to assist people who are homeless, elderly and infirm.” It went on further to ask: “What does it say about the human condition that many of us gladly give up our time and energy to help conduct an event that will add nothing of value or permanence to the well-being of any person, yet we refuse to assist those in genuine need?”

Though volunteerism of any nature should be encouraged, it should also be targeted. Also non-profit groups need be dynamic, creative and utilise the full talents of their volunteers.

We, the so-called generation Y, are characterised by a tendency to postpone commitments. Having grown up in a turbulent, unstable and unpredictable world, the pace of change has taught us to anticipate change and, indeed, to embrace change. We are the ‘keep-your-options-open’ generation; the generation who are prepared to wait and see; the “hang loose” generation. We are not apathetic. I believe that we are disengaged with the processes.”

- Human Rights and Human Responsibility: A Necessary Balance,
The University of Sydney, 3 May 2006