Author Greg Mortensen raises awareness of global education
Author Greg Mortensen raises awareness of global education
Published Sept. 19, 2008
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Author and humanitarian Greg Mortenson stands in front of an image of schoolchildren from the village of Korphe in Korphe during a lecture Tuesday in Jesse Auditorium. Prior to the speech, Mortenson was present at a reception in Ellis Library and also signed copies of his book, ‘Three Cups of Tea,’ at University Bookstore.
Bestselling author Greg Mortensen appeared at MU on Tuesday not only to discuss his new, critically acclaimed book, but also the importance of global citizenry for college students.
Mizzou Reads, MU's summer reading program, chose Mortensen's book, "Three Cups of Tea," which he co-authored with David Oliver Relin, for its featured work this year. As in the past, the program asked the author of the summer reading selection to come to campus and speak to students.
David Rielley, who works in the Department of Student Life, this year's audience turnout was the best ever for an author of a book used in the summer reading program.
During his speech, Mortenson discussed the importance of education, especially in countries were it is not easily attainable.
"I think education should be the top global priority over the next generation," he said.
The Central Asia Institute, which Mortenson co-founded, has built more than 78 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Since January 2007, the Taliban has bombed, destroyed and shut down 480 schools in Afghanistan. However, since 2000, the number of Afghani children attending school has risen from 800,000 to 6.4 million.
"(The Taliban's) main fear is not a bullet but a pen," Mortenson said.
Mortensen said if more young women were educated, infant mortality rates would be reduced, while quality of life and health would improve and a rapid rate of population growth would slow, he said.
As far as the current situation in Pakistan, Mortenson said about three times as much funding should be dedicated toward education.
Although Americans have been focused on tumbling stock prices and the government bailing out major lenders in the past few weeks, Mortenson said these are not reasons to neglect issues abroad.
"We are so intricately interwoven with the global community," Mortenson said. "Today, we are all global citizens."
He said if one out of 100 people worked with some type of international aid, that would make a difference. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. spent .17 percent of its GDP on international aid in 2006.
Statistics seem hopeful, though, when it comes to college students. Mortenson said today, more college students want to make a difference in the world than they did 20 years ago.
During his presentation, Mortenson gave three goals he believes college students should accomplish during their college career: learn a different language, do something different and learn how to ask for help.
