Scholarship Essay Entry – David J.

We, as a generation, are perhaps the most poised to make the world a better place for all than any generation before us. We have been born into a world where we are so interconnected not only do we always know what coffee shop our friends are at but also we instantly are made aware of tragedy occurring 5000 miles away. It is this awareness that also places the burden of responsibility on our collective shoulders. We as a generation must achieve, must strive higher and must improve the world simply because we have the opportunity to do so.

We have been given an environment where learning is encouraged and safe, things we take for granted, even though there are many who aren’t afforded these necessities. There are many countries where individuals who dare to challenge conventional means of thinking face harsh reprisal from the government. We also exist in a world where the gap between the wealth of the Western nations and the absolute poverty in Africa and Asia is ever widening. The weight of this lucidity as to the state of global affairs is something that previous students and leaders have not faced to the same extent. The reality is the burden of action is placed squarely on us; we must not sit idly by while we are aware of gross human rights abuses occurring around the world. I believe that much of this disparity and conflict that exists in our world could be rectified through trials and harsh sentencing of those in power who choose to abuse their population. The opportunity I have been blessed with, to study at a world class institution without needing to worry about feeding my family or facing reprisal for a differing opinion is too enormous an opportunity to not take advantage of. As Elie Wiesel said “I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

With that quote in mind I am starting my Undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta with a Major in Economics and hopefully will be starting LawSchool once I finish my degree. I dream of being eventually able to act as an International Prosecutor for the United Nation. The legal precedents that are constantly being set in these International tribunals are exciting and bode well for maltreated populations across the globe, with luck and our tremendous opportunities as a generation we may very well be able to realize the dream of international political stability and greater economic parity, which is what I see when I gaze into the future. With all we have been given it would be a pity to not strive to achieve these lofty goals.