Sphere
#36
2014
25
<<
Mr Li calls for governments to support
education and innovation. He is concerned
that “toxic welfare dependency” is part of
a cocktail that can stall growth. A handout
is not enough to lift people up and ahead
in a changing world, nor provide them
with an equal footing for opportunity in
an unequal world. It can leave millions
dependent and resentful, leading to
another force weakening society – the
erosion of trust.
Trust
Inequality is intimately connected to
the erosion of trust, especially where
the perception of entrenched
inequality persists.
Trust is a bedrock of the market economy
and functioning societies the world over.
Neighbours trust each other to behave
in respectful ways that enhance their
neighbourhoods and communities.
Business partners trust each other to
deliver on contracts. People trust their
governments to generally do right by
them. In places where there is little trust,
people live with fear and resentment.
Where there is no trust, there is discord.
Mr Li explains his concern that “trust,
the bedrock of an enlightened society, is
crumbling before our eyes. If trust is no
longer the reinforcing positive energy field,
the consequences could be dire. Trust
enables us to live in harmony, without
which more and more people will lose
faith in this system, breeding scepticism
towards what is fair and just, doubting
everything and believing all has turned
sour and rancid.”
Mr Li challenged the students, explaining
that “The future of our imperfect world
needs your commitment, needs your
positivity, needs your compassion,
needs your fortitude and needs your
resolve.” The students of Shantou
University are not the only people
needed. This message applies to
thinking, feeling people everywhere who
have any capacity to make change in
their communities, their cities and their
nations. All their commitment, positivity,
compassion, fortitude and resolve will
also be needed.
Resource scarcity
The connection between efficiency and
productivity has a direct bearing on
how much we can devote to alleviating
our previous two ‘sleepless’ factors.
As humanity determines how to most
efficiently use its resources to do what it
must do today, it will have more to invest
where it must for the future.
Custodians of the future
Mr Li concluded by invoking the duty
of custodians. To ensure that society
does not leave people at the bottom of
the economic scale, undermining trust
that underpins our civilisation, we must
intelligently deploy our resources to
have enough to stimulate innovation and
support education that can transform our
world for the better.
Our service to humanity demands
“dedication and [an] undertaking to be the
custodian of the future”. With that noble
goal in our sights, we can hopefully prevent
some sleepless nights for those that come
after us.
“Inside your vision of
tomorrow, will you show
respect for the most humble,
put value on individual and
human dignity and take action
to better your community?”
Far Left: At the Shantou University Commencement Ceremony, Mr Li Ka-shing addresses graduates in a speech titled “Sleepless in Hong Kong”.
Centre: Mr Li joins the members of the Student Council to ring the Bell of Truth. Right: Sporting a Shantou jersey, Mr Li refreshes his basketball skills.
Mr Li Ka-shing
