The destiny of world civilization depends upon providing a decent standard of living for all mankind.
Interpretation
The future of civilization relies on ensuring everyone has a good quality of life.
Norman Borlaug's quote emphasizes the crucial link between global progress and the well-being of all individuals. It suggests that true advancement in civilization cannot be achieved without addressing the basic needs and standard of living for every person, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and equity in our development efforts.
In practice
In a speech about global initiatives to combat poverty, this quote can be used to stress our responsibilities.
During the past three years spectacular progress has been made in increasing wheat, rice, and maize production in several of the most populous developing countries of southern Asia, where widespread famine appeared inevitable only five years ago
We must recognize the fact that adequate food is only the first requisite for life. For a decent and humane life, we must also provide an opportunity for good education, remunerative employment, comfortable housing, good clothing, and effective and compassionate medical care.
We are 6.6 billion people now. We can only feed 4 billion. I don't see 2 billion volunteers to disappear.
Nevertheless, the number of farmers, small as well as large, who are adopting the new seeds and new technology is increasing very rapidly, and the increase in numbers during the past three years has been phenomenal.
Africa needs roads. Roads bring know-how and fertilizer to farmers and ideas and business for commerce.
This is a basic problem, to feed 6.6 billion people. Without fertilizer, forget it. The game is over.
I'll work to ensure that every single refugee who seeks asylum in the United States has a fair chance to tell his or her story. This is the least we can offer people fleeing persecution and devastation.
We may be different races and religions but we are all part of the same human family
I try to be as honest about what I see and to speak rather than be silent, especially if it means I can save lives, or serve humanity.
I will never tire of repeating this: what the poor need the most is not pity but love. They need to feel respect for their human dignity, which is neither less nor different from the dignity of any other human being.
We have a shared destiny, a shared responsibility to save the world from those who attempt to destroy it.
We must not allow the horrific actions of madmen to cut us off from our humanity.
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