Setting goals for a better world

WEST MILFORD — Who hasn't dreamed of a better world? While some may see it as an impossible dream, many believe that if enough of us work together, we can make a difference.

But how do we start the process that will create such dramatic change?

The first, most important step is to be educated about the issue. You cannot find the solution to a problem unless you truly understand it. Once there is an understanding, you can take that knowledge and use it to educate others. This important step is called “raising awareness” and is a fundamental tactic when addressing the world’s most urgent societal needs.

The fifth and sixth grade students in West Milford’s Learning Unlimited (LU) program have been studying ways in which important changes in society can be made, focusing on a United Nations initiative called the Millennium Development Goals. The program targets eight areas where help is needed on a global level, including reducing poverty and child mortality, providing access to education, fighting disease and improving the environment.

On a recent LU Project Night, parents and friends were invited to listen to students put their expertise on display, raising awareness on these topics and others. Working in teams, the boys and girls used props, skits, games and colorful posters to engage and educate their audiences on issues that so often affect the less fortunate.

A few weeks prior to the Project Night, the students went to New York City to visit the Paley Center for Media, an institution dedicated to tracking the cultural significance of television, radio and modern media. The students watched a range of commercials from all over the world, while their host explained advertising strategy. Essential concepts, such as targeting your audience and using humor to get your message across, were emphasized.

Julie Cheshire, coordinator/teacher of Learning Unlimited, explained that the course gave students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of where they fit into society from a global perspective, and what their role could be.

“Each and every one of us have a chance to create change,” Cheshire explained. “To overlook that choice is a missed opportunity.”

Learning Unlimited provides additional enrichment to students requiring a greater challenge. Classes are offered as a supplement to a student’s regular studies, and promote an environment that encourages concepts such as teamwork, creative thinking and analysis.

Article and photos submitted by Ken Greenberg